Over the course of 5 years urban sketching with an iPad, I’ve gone through a fair number of cases, grips, holders and stands!

Whether you call it a case, grip, holder or stand, anyone who wants to head out to draw with an iPad will appreciate being able to use something that hangs on securely to your iPad while you navigate urbanscapes to draw on location. (I tend to call it a ‘grip’, as it grips my iPad, and I, in turn, grip it.)

In my 5 years of being an iPad urban sketcher, (and 8 years of owning various generations of iPads), I’ve never dropped my iPad outdoors simply because I’ve used a grip that worked, even for a relative klutz like me. No worries drawing from high balconies or over bridges with ant-sized people scurrying below.

The video above goes into detail, explaining 10 points to consider when considering an iPad case / holder / grip / stand, as well as my top recommendations and why.

If you’d like to skip the chit-chat and dive into the nitty gritty, here are those 10 points as you weigh your options:

Drop Protection : IMHO not as important if your case / holder has secure grip

Aesthetics : to suit your style or brand

Longevity : can your choice be easily used when you upgrade?

Warranty : for help and peace of mind

5 years of sketching and my favorite cases / grips

Some of the links below are affiliate links, through which I get a tiny commission if you purchase an item, and of course, it costs you nothing. If you do plonk down plastic for anything, I thank you for your support. It helps keeps this blog afloat and allows me to test more gear!

I also describe my evolution in the search for the perfect iPad Grip for urban sketching. The UAG Scoutwas one of the first kickstand cases for iPad Pros, and I used that with my first 12.9” iPad Pro for a couple of months before finding that it was too tiring to hang on to. The case, while sturdy, practical and looked good, was relatively heavy, and required a constant, strong grip. That gets really tiring when done for hours!

When I really got into urban sketching with my iPad Air 5 years ago, I used a device called theBracketron Twist 360, the funky, transformer-sounding device that allowed me a huge amount of freedom and security in a lightweight, versatile package. I wrote about that in depth in this post. Of course, when switching to my larger iPad Pro, I hoped to find a similar solution. When contacted, Bracketron told me they did not have plans to make a version for the 12.9” iPad Pro, and in my search to find something close, I found the SpinPadGrip.

After my initial concerns over depending solely on a giant suction cup on the back of my iPad, I found I loved this device for its versatility. Although a pain to install properly, and requiring a huge leap of faith after the deed seemed successfully executed, it worked pretty reliably for a while, and to its credit, never failed me at critical moments. However, in my 2.5 years of using it, the SpinPadGrip has inexplicably peeled off my iPad a few times of its own accord, although always in my backpack. (I’ve since heard that a couple of friends who bought this also had similar experiences.) I never figured out why, but because it happened a few times, I began to get skeptical about its ability to keep my iPad safe, sending me on the search again for something more secure.

Web scouring time again... and I found to my delight that while the Bracketron people did not bother to make a big brother version of the Twist 360, someone else did! Enter the Maxsmart. This fits all 12.9” iPad Pros, and while not compatible while using Apple’s Smart Keyboard for any generation of iPad Pro (the Maxsmart blocks the smart connector), it’s easy enough to pop into a bag to take along and snap on when needed. It has all the features I loved from my original Bracketron grip, but upsized for my Jumbo...er...12.9” iPad Pro. In the video above, I demonstrate how putting it on and taking it off is quite literally, a snap.

**UPDATE - 18 Jan, 2019: I’ve received several messages in the past couple weeks of the Maxsmart being unavailable on Amazon. After contacting the seller, we’ve found that it will only be back in stock in March. However, I’ve also bought and begun testing a lookalike, the Aidata, and yes, it looks and feels exactly the same, except for the logo. Plus, it also comes in white!

Whichever iPad you own, there’s a grip for you. None are perfect, but the first two are my all-time favorites and come pretty close.

And there you have it. The graphic above offers a breakdown of which device you’ll need, depending on which iPad you own. I made no mention of iPad minis in the video, as I don’t know anyone who draws with them anymore. They’re underpowered for serious sketching, and in this day and age, incompatibility with Apple Pencils make them a poor artistic choice. Still, I have listed the Aduro, which works with iPad minis, as well as 9.7” iPads. It’s bulkier and sometimes the grip loosens inexplicably, as I detailed in this post, but it’s one of the cheapest holders out there. Might be an option for kids who need something indoors.

The holidays are approaching, and a quick look shows that those of you in the US can have Amazon ship your grips pretty quickly if you get your order in soon. I hope you take advantage of the upcoming break to get some sketching on!

If you’d rather see what the trip was like, here’s a video with highlights, plus my thoughts on the 2018 iPad Pro, and advice as you consider which one’s right for you.

Apple Keynote, Halloween, NYC Marathon...all in 1 week. Whew!

No, I did not have a costume, and though the Missus and I wanted to to watch the parade, we made the mistake of deciding on a short nap before, then woke a little 1am after it was all over (thankfully, I got to draw some great costumes before that!)

And no, I was not running any marathon. We actually missed watching the race despite our hotel being blocks away from Central Park. This was our last day, and there were many things we wanted to do during our final hours. (We see massive crowds all the time in Hong Kong.)

Now the Apple keynote, though...! That was truly worth the 16hr 35min non-stop flight from Hong Kong to JFK! I’m not a member of the press, so when I was invited by Apple (for the first time) to attend a Keynote in New York City, the fanboy in me went NUTS!

After many years of following events like these online, it was such a thrill to be invited to experience an Apple launch, live!

So, on the morning of October 30th, there I was, staring up at this huge Apple logo on the facade of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, also known as the Howard Gilman Opera House, amongst hundreds of members of the press, bloggers, vloggers, and influencers of all kinds....and to be honest, feeling a mixture of awe, delirious excitement, huge gratitude, and some uh...ineptitude, as everyone around me was expertly capturing the moment, especially via Instagram stories, which was never really my thing as... I, uh... didn’t know how. (I’ve just began learning after the trip to NYC.) Well, ok... I’d done IG stories maybe twice before, but I think the IG interface had changed, and I forgot how, which left me feeling really old as people everywhere were talking into their cameras, smiling and posing just so, looking very, very cool, their thumbs a blistering hashtagging blur...while I just grinned and grinned, pinching myself on occasion because boy, this was so surreal! In the best kind of way.

I was with a little group of press and influencers from Hong Kong, and although we’d never met before, had started to get to know one another quite nicely. We were becoming a tight band of bros, comprised of 2 hip young restauranteurs overseeing a growing Mac-run gastronomic empire, a social media maven, a PR maestro and me. (And they were all far cooler than I.)

It was pretty nippy that morning, and we were all jumping up and down and hugging ourselves, grinning a little silly, partly from excitement and partly from the cold, so it was incredibly welcome when a buzz of “time to go in” wafted over the crowd, and the entire congregation shuffled slowly into the building in the most amicable way, oohing and aahing at the building interior. Cameras in hand and necks craning, we ascended an escalator, smartphones panning and swooping to capture the moment, emerging into a waiting area with vaulted ceilings and...Yesss! Hot coffee! And snacks! Nothing like a tasty bite and warm, welcome beverage to steady the hand and get rid of the beginnings of the shivers... again both from the cold and sheer excitement.

Another aside for those of you who have no idea who I am or what I do, and (why should you, no offense taken)...I’m an urban sketcher, which means what I do, is draw on location. Ian Fennelly from the UK, coined the perfect phrase for this particular passion, “I don’t just sketch. I make art on location.” That’s what I do too. I create at the confluence of place + time + eye by absorbing the ambiance of a location and capturing its story on my canvas. And my media of choice for the past 5 years has been exclusively, the iPad. Naturally, I started sketching the scene as quickly as possible in an attempt to capture what was happening (on my 2017 iPad Pro); the energy, the crowd, the vibe... and boy, were there some vibes that day!

About 20 minutes of coffee and sketching later, as well as meeting some very nice people who were curious about what I was doing, another invisible signal went off, and at 30 minutes to showtime, we began heading into the auditorium.

I felt like I was attending a rock concert! Apple staff ushered us in, and I realized people had different colored passes. I don’t know the categories; only that those in our little group were red, which allowed us to “go right down”, and so our little band of bros did, making our way to the second row of the mezzanine level, which gave us an incredible view of the stage below. It was a little tight, but we were all cozy and buzzy from caffeine, anticipation and happy disbelief that we were there! A stranger left the row, which allowed us to scoot further in, giving us an almost dead-center view of the stage. I craned my neck and took the scene in; the ornate carvings climbing the walls and circling balustrades before framing the stage, the plush red seats, the whooping crowd, the sea of electronic devices glowing in the dim light, and of course, the big, bright Apple logo projected onto the stage backdrop. And I continued to draw.

As the countdown to 10AM began, the Apple logo on that backdrop began to animate, morphing into the many, many wonderfully creative versions of the logo that appeared on invitations to the event. That held everyone’s attention while effectively upping the ante. What would we see? What would they show? What would be upgraded?

The non-stop flight from Hong Kong to JFK is 16 hours and 30min, which was plenty of time to consider things. I remember looking at my 2017 iPad Pro, a device I was perfectly happy with and loved very, very much, wondering how on earth Apple was going to improve on it. Yes, a faster chip every year, and I’d read the rumors about thinner bezels and Face ID, all of which came true. But what else could they do?

Then Tim Cook appeared on-stage, and the crowd went wild. I went pretty wild too. I’m a fan of Steve Jobs and how he started Apple, his genius and all that, but there’s something about Tim - he just looks like a great guy; a level-headed, caring, responsible leader who is equal parts nice guy and strong, capable leader, fiercely protecting users’ privacy, even if it meant going toe-to-toe with the FBI. (And people I’ve met, who’ve met him, say it’s all true, and he really is a great guy.) And there he was, walking around on stage, waving at the crowd, which was SO loud, his first few sentences couldn’t be heard.

I have to admit, the initial product announcements didn’t really grab my attention as much. New Mac Mini!! Yay! New MacBook Air! Woot! I could see why people were excited, and I was excited for them, but these products weren’t for me. So I continued my sketch reportage of the event, attempting to capture the speakers and the main points they made. And then Tim said “iPad Pros” and I felt like a teenager screaming at some pop star. But I’m a Bass 2, so I can’t really scream and was more “yeaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!” in an Asian Barry White kinda way.

I don’t recall all the details of the Keynote, so I’m glad I sketched it and captured bits of key points. 12 billion transistors on the new A12X Bionic Chip! Wow!!! 8 core processing! Woooah!!! What the hell can 12 billion transistors do? I’m gadgety, but not really techie in a numbers kinda way, so I can’t really tell you. Make things go super fast! Like 92% faster than computers out there today, and from reviews I’ve read since, yes, it seems everyone confirms that the new iPad Pros are blazing fast.

What got me was how beautiful they had made the new iPad Pros. I mean, Apple videos are always pretty seductive, but boy, had they outdone themselves...this was sexy in an all-new way....the smaller bezels, the curved corners at the edges of the screen, the flat buttons and how crazy thin this thing is!!! After the keynote ended with Lana del Rey serenading us with a couple of songs, most of the masses headed over to the adjacent building for a hands-on look at everything that had just been announced.

Our little group headed over after the crowds and lines eased up a bit. Apple staff welcomed us like it was an iPhone launch. Cheery and pumped, they got us to wait our turn before releasing us into the main hall. We were met by another cavernous space, with gorgeously ornate vaulted ceilings, glittering with mosaics in gold, but I admit - I was just making a beeline for the iPad Pros, especially the 12.9” version. And omg....it was just as sexy in person as the video made it out to be!

And the Apple Pencil 2.0!!! Oh man...completely redesigned. Shorter... lighter! A matte finish, which feels so much better than gloss slickness. And the way it snaps on the top, which pairs, docks and charges the device automatically, so you never have to worry about topping it up - yes!!! Spot on, Apple designers!!!

For the remainder of the time, we walked about, checked things out, took photos, video and selfies.

Later that afternoon, I was invited to a little gathering of creatives from around the world, where we got to meet software developers and glimpse the future of possibilities, as well as be among the first in the world to get our hands on the latest and greatest iPad Pros. Ah! The excitement!!! Of note to me was seeing the crew from Savage Interactive again, creators of that amazing art-creation app, Procreate. They do an absolutely amazing (and sometimes thankless job) listening to their users, and are wonderful, wickedly funny people in real life too! It’s crazy how cheap the app is for what it does (a one-time purchase of USD 9.99 or equivalent), and these guys are constantly working to make it better, folding pro features of all kinds into a constant stream of wittily-written updates.

After that giddy high of unboxing all my new gear (like my birthday and Christmas had a baby), did several drawings in my hotel room; my first original Cronut, and a couple of quintessentially New York views. I mean, when you open the curtains and can see both the Empire State Building and Chrysler building in the distance, it’s a pretty awesome thing. Especially for a first-time visitor to the city!

Always a major treat when traveling is also the opportunity to meet and hang out with local urban sketchers, many of whom I’ve come to know and consider part of my global sketcher family. Being able to attend a local sketchwalk is also a top priority for me. I never tire of chatting with people and discovering the various ways we’ve all stumbled onto the passion that unites us. This time was no different, and made all the more special because I knew 2 local sketchers pretty well.

When in New York, you’ve gotta have a bagel, and we did, many times. Topped with good thick layer of cream cheese and lox is one of my fav ways to do it!

On the day of arrival, I met Ronnie Lawlor and her husband Neil, very briefly for a bowl of soup, while Louisa continued to chat with them over dinner. Ronnie has been on the faculty of many Urban Sketcher Symposia, and her amazing illustrations and reportage work is a huge inspiration to many.

Later, I also got to hang out with more urban sketchers from NYC.

Mark Liebowitz, who manages the NYC Urban Sketchers group, met the Missus and I one day for breakfast, then very generously proceeded to spend the whole day showing us the city he obviously loves. I wanted to stop at almost every corner to sketch and draw, but there was so much to see, and for once, our trip was short. So it was a day of highlights - we breezed past pumpkin piled high at Rockefeller Center, then did a whirlwind visit through MOMA, where Mark very kindly used his pass to get us in. We also sat and sketched quickly at the Sculpture Garden before heading out on the streets again.

Seeing Central Park has always been on my bucket list. Bonus when seen in the fall. Ding! Ding! All points scored this time. Mark told us that we were lucky - that its’ usually much colder at this time of the year, but the due to a long hot summer and late onset of autumn, many trees were still turning.

After exploring various corners, oohing and aching at foliage of blazing yellows and oranges, mottled with red here and there, we stopped at Bethesda Fountain to sketch. On our way to find a seat, we bumped into a little group of students and their teacher, who was showing them the value of learning to draw on location.

Lunch was at a lovely little lot close to the pond, and then we headed on to explore and see more. I began to realize how ginormous the Park was! We stopped again to have a quick look and sketch at the Guggenheim, which was closed. I did a sketch, but found myself more drawn to the foliage framing the building.

As it began to darken, my Missus peeled off to continue getting through her shopping list, and Mark and I resumed wandering the streets. We capped the sketching in front of the fountain at the Lincoln Center, before Mark showed me how to ride New York’s subway.

I clocked 21,316 steps that day, traipsing 13.51km and feeling like I had successfully burned all calories from the famous NYC bagels we’d been trying since arriving.

We also had a chance to attend a sketchwalk with NYC Urban Sketchers that Saturday, where we headed to the High Line, something else I’d been wanting very much to see and draw ever since watching a documentary on this gorgeous, ingenious urban park. And oh my! the explosion of color, just a few feet over the traffic below, was absolutely incredible!

It was also pretty darned cold, and plenty of wind was in the forecast. Branches waved, leaves fluttered and flew, like nature saying “Look at me! Look at me!” With a flourish before shedding its garments to herald the change of seasons.

Sketchers blew on their hands to warm up, and I felt very thankful that I had packed an extra scarf and touchscreen gloves, which enabled me to work fairly unhindered. Unless you count occasional bits of uncontrollable shuddering as a particularly strong gust blew through my many layers.

About 15 of us had lunch together at a lovely restaurant close to that spot at the High Line that looks like a sunken auditorium above the street. We chatted, exchanged sketchbooks, discussed techniques and after a bit, my iPad Pro made an appearance after I realized many people had not ever tried sketching with an Apple Pencil. This was my 2017 machine though, as I wasn’t ready to use my new baby on the streets quite yet.

Another familiar smiling face from several Symposiums I’d attended showed up to join us - Jason Das, former president of the Urban Sketcher movement. Hair perfectly tousled, and transformer biker helmet in hand, he joined us for lunch, and sketching as we headed back to the High Line for part 2.

The sky had shed its grumpy grey, turning a bright blue, which took the bite out of the winds, or at least made us more forgiving as the colors everywhere popped even more. By now, huge crowds were also admiring the views, the colors, and this glorious fall day on the High Line. Amidst much conversation, we got some more sketching done before wrapping at 3pm and heading to the third venue of the day.

I love it when sketchwalks end with food and drinks. The social part of urban sketching is hugely important. We get a chance to meet people, chat, and get to know one another much better. France van Stone, a.k.a. @wagonized met us at the fascinatingly eccentric Oscar Wilde pub for drinks, adding yet another highlight to an already remarkable day. it’s always such a treat to meet people who we only know by online handles.

Several sketchbooks made the rounds, passed between fistfuls of beer and ale. I was very happy to be able to participate for once. I had the foresight this time to print some of my work on thick, textured A4 sheets, and have them spiral-bound into books before the trip.

I can’t think of a better last painting to knock out before leaving NYC.

At one point, I looked up and saw 3 iPads glowing in the dim, amber light of the pub, and thought wow- how far we’d come! 5 years ago, my iPad Air was a novelty. iPad urban sketching is now an actual thing!

Our final day in NYC was a blur of food, sights and Uber shares to hit our last must-see spots, which include sketching the view from Dumbo, a visit and some shopping at that New York institution, B&H, and what better goodbye to the city than a sketch at Times Square!

Now I know why so many tourists wear those dinky I heart NY tees. I feel the same, and we’ll be back.

]]>Sketching the 100th Anniversary Celebrations at Fátima, PortugalUrban SketchingTravelRob SketchermanThu, 01 Jun 2017 00:08:49 +0000http://www.sketcherman.com/blog/sketching-the-100th-anniversary-at-fatima-portugal52c57c56e4b09b80f561f557:52c598dae4b005e409dad3d8:592eeb0d15cf7d1205ed6241For a few days in mid-May 2017, I was a part of Sketch Tour Portugal,
assigned with 3 other sketchers to document through sketch reportage, the
100th Anniversary celebrations at Fátima during the visit of Pope Francis.

The 4 sketchers of Fátima. from left to right: Eduardo, Kasia, Rob and Fernanda

Sketch Portugal with 3 other sketchers.

Draw a little over a million Catholics congregating to worship in a small town, north of Lisbon.

And Pope Francis will be visiting too.

Those were the main nuggets that rang in my head like little bells, sparking visuals of possibilities in fragmented technicolor. What? Me? WOW!!! Are you kidding? Yes, I'm in! When I finished reading the email with details of the invitation, I told my missus, Louisa, and we hopped around the room with unbridled glee! :D

Right. Let me explain properly.

A few months ago, I received an invitation to participate in Sketch Tour Portugal, a wonderful collaboration between Turismo de Portugal (the Tourism Board of Portugal) and Urban Sketchers.

Sketch Tour Portugal is the brainchild of Mário Linhares (the Education Director of Urban Sketchers and founder of Urban Sketchers Portugal), a fantastic creative initiative which pairs a foreign sketcher with a local one every month, and over the course of a year, the teams record and depict various aspects of Portugal, which will be used by Turismo de Portugal (TP for short) to promote the country in a variety of ways. Kudos to a Tourism Board that's bold and innovative enough to use sketches to represent their country! (woo!!! applause!!!) Mário proposed the idea to TP, who boldly hit the Go button which led to Louisa and I landing in Lisbon in mid May. (She's my partner in life and we work together too.)

The first Sketch Tour Portugal assignment was to document the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions in the town of Fátima, commemorating the events that led 3 shepherd children in rural Portugal to witness apparitions of angels and the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917. The fame of Fátima then spread so far and wide over the years, that it would draw huge crowds twice a year; the 13th of May and October, which were anniversaries of the last appearances of the Virgin before the children.

To celebrate the Centenary in 2017, Pope Francis announced that he too would like to visit. The event organizers anticipated that the usual crowd of hundreds of thousands would swell to well over a million people pouring in from all corners of the globe. We heard later that most hotels in town were booked up a year in advance, with many rooms snapped up as soon as news of the Pope's possible visit became public.

As the 100th Anniversary in Fátima was to be a HUGE event; something the entire nation of Portugal was looking forward to, Sketch Portugal decided that it was too much for 2 sketchers to cover. To kick the project off with a bang and ensure that there were enough artists recording the event from 11-14 May, we were to be a team of 4, led by a Portuguese sketcher from Lisbon, Fernanda Lamelas. A gifted artist, jewelry designer and practising architect, she would be our local connection, showing us important landmarks and explaining rituals and practices. The other members of the team were Eduardo Bajzek from Brazil, a virtuoso of watercolor and architectural renderings, and Kasia Szybka from Poland, who creates amazingly detailed works in black and white. I was to represent the Far East. None of us had ever met before.

A van had been arranged to collect us from one of Lisbon's many Miradouros (viewing points) at 9am on the 11th May. It was pouring buckets as Louisa and I made our way to the meeting point in an Uber, with forecasts predicting more days of rain. We inched our way through the morning traffic as our driver regaled us with descriptions of Portuguese dishes we absolutely had to try (feijoada and Cozido a Portuguesa).

At the appointed rendezvous, we found Eduardo half-soaked and huddled under a warped umbrella. A friendly vendor had allowed him to scrunch his lanky frame under the pop-up back of her van for shelter, and spotting us, Eduardo sauntered out, clutching umbrella and suitcase, thinking we were in the vehicle that would take us all to Fátima. A fierce wind whipped his umbrella into a flapping mess as we cleared that up, examined our options, and wondered where to meet our van driver without getting drenched.

From Lisbon to Fátima : 128km (79.5m)

Hearing the conversation, our Uber driver leapt to our rescue, refusing to let us get soaked on the sidewalk. After a few Whatsapp messages and calls back and forth, he arranged an alternative pickup point with our van driver, so we bundled Eduardo in with us, and off we went. Within a half hour, we were met by the van driver, who had already picked Fernanda up. Kasia would only fly in that afternoon, and would be driven in later with the film crew who would follow us around to record our time at Fátima.

The journey itself took a little over an hour, but we hardly felt it. 5 minutes in, I knew we were going to get along like a house on fire. Polite small talk turned into cheerful banter as we zoomed past rolling hills. Shortly after a quick rest-stop coffee break, we found ourselves turning off the highway and into Fátima.

The geeky me had researched Fátima as soon as I knew of the trip. I had even 'driven' sections of town, courtesy of Google Street View, but the quiet community of 2000+ inhabitants I saw on the Internet was much busier now. Buses pulled in by the dozen, disgorging passengers groggy from travel. Dotted liberally around, large tree-lined lots were full of RVs and camper-vans of all kinds. Not surprising, given the event to come.

The view from our room at the Travel Hotel, with the spire of Fátima's Basilica beckoning to arriving pilgrims. This shot was taken on our 2nd morning when the sun peeked out for a bit.

We checked into the Travel Hotel, and as Louisa began unpacking, I drew the curtains to find a lovely view of Fátima, with its famous bell tower beckoning in the distance. Happily, it didn't look very far away.

We had all arranged to meet in the hotel lobby after giving each other just enough time to unload and freshen up. The rain that had dogged us all morning had cleared up a little. Dark clouds scudded on the horizon, but for now, we could put umbrellas away. With a spring in our step and sketch gear in our packs, we began exploring Fátima in the crisp May air. First stop, the Sanctuary; a vast, sloping, oblong concrete space, bracketed by the old Basilica on one end, and a new, modern one on the other.

Fernanda took us first into the old Basilica, where a few of the faithful were bowed in prayer. It wasn't yet busy that afternoon, and we took a few moments to enjoy the silence before following our guide into the yawning expanse of the Sanctuary.

The Basilica of Fátima, flanked by stepped colonnades we would soon find shelter in.

On the higher sloping end of the new Basilica, tiny silhouettes of pilgrims speckled the center, growing as they advanced. Many wore bright reflective vests, matching shirts and caps. Some gripped stout staffs capped with crosses and streaming with ribbons and flowers. Large backpacks weighed them down, their boots stained with mud and their clothes rumpled from the many kilometers they had come on foot. Lisbon is 128 km (~80 miles) away, and many of the faithful would have walked the distance in groups to fulfill a promise made.

I watched in amazement as some pilgrims came in slowly on their knees or all fours. Some crawled on their elbows. A few used knee-pads, but many did not. A smooth white path about 1.5m (~5ft) wide offered less resistance than the rough concrete, and had been built to reduce the chance of bloodied extremities as people advanced towards the Basilica. I was informed that those who were taking these more extreme measures were either penitent, expressing their depth of faith, or keeping a pledge they had made for a blessing that was bestowed upon them.

The wind blew the sky clear at times, and we 3 decided that this scene of arriving pilgrims against the backdrop of the Basilica had to be our first sketch at Fátima. Stools popped out, gear appeared and we were soon bent over our preferred kits, jackets pulled tight against the wind. At times, the sun beat down on us mercilessly, causing us to squint, and others, ominous sprinklings plopped onto paper.

Several journalists dropped by to chat, visibly relieved at being able to quiz Fernanda and Eduardo in Portuguese. Cameras snapped and passers-by smiled down at us, delighted to hear of our mission. We were a moment of lightness contrasting with the solemn pilgrims on the marble path who drew the most attention.

My first sketch at Fátima. Text was added later.

As we drew, I noticed at the corner of my eye, a little girl shuffling slowly along on her knees. She must have been 6-8 (though I admit that my estimation of children's ages might not be very good). At times serious, and moments later smiling shyly, she clutched a little rosary in her hand. Suddenly, all the cameras saw her too, and some journalists flung themselves on the ground before her for a shot. Like a pro, she smiled then continued in silent prayer, inching forward. It's one thing to see adults immersed in acts of faith, but to see a little child like this...I was transfixed, grabbed her mentally and drew her as quickly as possible as she edged forward.

Shortly after I finished this piece, the heavens opened in a flash. Eduardo was in the middle of applying a wash, and was suddenly forced into wet on very wet! The wind then decided to tease us, sending various items from Eduardo's kit clanking in flight as they bounced away from him. He slammed his soaking sketchbook closed, scrambled after them, and we ran to help, laughing as we too rushed to save our own kits from the rain. I already had my umbrella out to reduce the glare on my screen, so didn't get too wet. Thankfully, my iPad was already safely stowed in my pack. By the time we had all salvaged gear and packs however, it was agreed that we needed to head back to our hotels for a shower and dry clothes.

A quick lunch followed at a streetside café before we headed back to the Sanctuary with determination. The sun and rain continued to play hide and seek throughout the day, and we decided to find a sheltered spot from which to work in peace for at least a couple of hours. The sweeping colonnades beckoned, and we acceded gratefully.

An American TV crew set up and shot their piece before us, ignoring our little group. From our vantage point, I did this next piece.

Second sketch of the day, safe from the elements!

Deciding to work faster as dusk began to fall, I headed over to the Chapel of Apparitions, across the plaza, to a low building with periodic flames shooting from its sides. Fernanda explained that people would buy candles from the makeshift store around the corner, then offer them at this building. On closer inspection, I saw that there were actually rows upon rows of candle holders arrayed for placing candles, but sheer volumes due to the occasion created giant flames that would sometimes shoot 3m (10ft) into the air.

Fistfuls of candles were bought by the faithful, some piling their arms high.

Some tried to brave the flames and stick candles in holders while those who were overcome by heat tossed them in one by one with a little prayer on their lips.

I then headed to the candle store to sketch before capturing the burning of these waxen tokens of promises and prayer. A light drizzle sprinkled down on us now and then, and out of the blue, the skies opened up with a whooshing roar, sending people scurrying for cover.

We found an overhang to hide under, next to the candle store. I had a chance to draw Eduardo quickly while observing the crowd who waited balefully for the rain to pass. I was particularly tickled by the ingenuity of the man who used his giant bag to shield his head. Great balance too!

We were soon cold, wet and hungry, electing to call it a night. Kasia had also arrived at the hotel, and Fernanda left the Sanctuary earlier to meet her. Eduardo, Louisa and I agreed to follow suit soon. To save time and for easier coordination, all our meals would be had at the hotel, and we trudged back happily for a warm meal, shower and cosy bed.

The next morning dawned with the promise of golden light...which suddenly gave way to yet more rain. Wiser now, Eduardo and I decided to begin from within the Basilica. Seated comfortably in the pews, we quietly got our gear out and began.

I chose a spot behind 2 older women who took turns praying and whispering to each other. Wish I knew what they were saying.

I didn't know how much I wanted to draw, and began with the women in front of me. My sketch then began growing as I enjoyed the meditative murmur of whispered prayers around me. I glanced over and saw that Eduardo was feeling the same compulsion, so we sat for a little over an hour together, drawing in silent unison. Fernanda joined us as we were finishing, and told us the young men sent to film us wanted to begin.

Right outside the Basilica is a grove of trees with stone circular seats around their bases. Tired pilgrims often took breaks there, and I decided to capture some moments between prayer and contemplation.

Eduardo wanted to the paint the bell tower through the trees, and I felt like something candid. This grove let us both work within easy reach of Fernanda in the Basilica, and the video duo, Pedro and Duarte.

Pope Francis was flying into Fátima that afternoon, and Fernanda warned us that the crowds would really start flooding in soon. We strolled back to the Basilica after lunch to find good spots to wait, and I noticed a distinct uptick in the numbers of people milling around. Where there were hundreds around me before, there were clearly now, thousands. Then we approached what was a quiet side entrance the day before, and with an audible gasp, caught our first glimpse of the crowd! As far as the eye could see, spread across the entire expanse of the Sanctuary, people sat around, filed in and moved about. There was no ground to be seen. Colorful masses of humanity were a Jackson Pollock come to life, splashed across the massive space. At the far end, brilliant specks wriggled in the distance, brandishing flags and banners.

Fernanda gamely tried to lead us through the thickening crowd, in search of a good spot to settle in and sketch from, but every available inch close to where Pope Francis would be later seen at the Chapel of Apparitions, was taken up by chairs, people and all manner of belongings. Human traffic jams snaked in all directions as yet more people tried to squeeze in among the dozing, eating, sleeping, chatting, heaving mass of bodies. And only Kasia and I were with Fernanda! Where would everyone else fit when we didn't even have space to sit? After nearly falling into the lap of one indignant grandma, we decided that it was ok to not be in the line of sight of the Pope that day.

Miraculously, the skies had turned gloriously clear and blue, and after squeezing along like sardines in a canning line, we suddenly emerged into a spacious, shaded corner under ancient pines at one side of the Sanctuary. Here, people were more laid-back and convival. There were folk of every color, from every corner of the globe. Neighbors smiled at each other, some offering snacks to each other as everyone settled into chairs and stools of all kinds to wait out the afternoon. We set up, and Pedro and Duarte, the video guys, were very pleased to see that they had plenty of room to move around and take shots of us.

As I got to know Kasia, I thought I'd make her the foreground of this waiting-crowd sketch.

I started drawing people in the crowd as hymns were sung, and an enthusiastic Father led the Sanctuary in prayer in Portuguese. Every now and then, I'd hear him mention "Papa Francisco". A few Hallelujahs later, familiar salutations and refrains were repeated. He would try to lead the choir in song, but thankfully, eventually realized that singing was not his strong suit. We sketched on, feeling the energy of the crowd grow notch by notch.

On giant screens set up around the edges, we saw Papa Francisco's plane land at the nearby military airfield, and the crowd whooped with delight. When his chopper circled the Sanctuary overhead, people shouted and waved frantically with tears in their eyes, smartphones trained on the skies. When the Pope Mobile finally appeared in the distance, I realized the wisdom of this space not having a roof. The crowd roared with gusto usually reserved for rock concerts!!! The emotion was so palpable, eventhough I'm not Catholic, I felt my heart swell with exhilaration on seeing the tiny waving figure in white.

From where we sat, we couldn't possibly see the Pope, so I drew him quickly from the giant screens.

The Pope left after Mass that afternoon, and much of the crowd flowed out with him. Fernanda ushered us back to the hotel for dinner. Her husband, Antonio, had joined our troop, and advised us to eat and head back as soon as possible.

I'm not sure what happened. Between a quick shower, getting ready and chatting over dinner, by the time we headed out again, it was within 10 minutes of the main event that night, the Candlelight Mass. People everywhere held candles which had plastic cup wind-shields. Louisa wanted one too, and melted away to get some. I was very concerned that she wouldn't be able to find us again in the milling throng. And it was getting really dark. Fortunately, she wasn't away for long, spotting Eduardo's cap and jacket sticking out over the heads of many.

Pedro and Duarte glanced at each other with concern as we tried to find a good spot. If we thought it was packed this afternoon, it was chock-a-block-crammed-to-the-gills now! Fernanda and Antonio seemed to feel that as local hosts, they needed to find us someplace good, and we squeezed and snaked around the crowd, in tow. Antonio would pause and watch us attentively with a sweet protectiveness, making sure none of us got lost or left behind, before darting ahead again to scout out possible spots. Everywhere was so packed however! We were right at the back of the Sanctuary, and were now just hoping for a spot that would allow us to see down the sloping plaza towards the Basilica, so the video guys could get decent shots. At some point, we stopped and just filled a pathway as there was nowhere else to go. The view was alright, and we decided as one to just make camp here. Opening our stools, we sat down with our bags at our feet. The trickle of people who tried to move around us eventually gave up, closing behind us.

Antonio had told me as we chatted earlier, that the candlelight mass was one of his favorite parts of Fátima. He told me to pay especially close attention to when people would raise their candles. I set about sketching as soon as we stopped, and elected to just stand since the crowd around me was largely on their feet.. Drawing digitally in the dark? Ha - this is where iPads shine :)

The Candlelight Mass was definitely a major highlight for me.

I did the piece above, and felt quite contented until I felt Antonio nudge me to say the candle-raising bit was coming. What? I thought I had seen it! But as a chorus of hymns soared in a million voices, and arms lifted flames in a sea of light, I understood what Antonio was talking about. Emotions filled my chest at the now familiar Ave Mária, and I couldn't help but sing along at bits I recognized. My Pencil flew across my screen as I tried to capture the sight of those lights being raised to the heavens as I had no idea how long this ceremony would last and didn't want to miss anything.

2 hours later, the candlelight mass was still going on, but some of us began to feel our internal flames start to stutter. I took Eduardo's lead and headed back to the hotel with Louisa. Fernanda, Antonio and Kasia were still going strong when we slipped away. (We learned later that they left 10 minutes later.) Before nodding off past midnight, I looked out my window and saw that the sea of lights could still be seen glimmering in the Sanctuary. A little sparser, but there nonetheless, hymns still being sung. I sank into sleep with images of dancing flames and glorious singing leading me to deep slumber.

I made this chart in Procreate for a recent workshop on iPad Pro Creative Workflows, which lists all the gear I use daily with my iPad Pro. Details below!

I talked about tablet holders recently and today, will discuss other gear I've discovered and consider essential. This is what I have with me when I'm out with my Jumbo Pro. Some items are really simple, and you probably already have options lying around your home, like the clip I use for my Apple Pencil. My most recent discovery on the other hand, has been in the market for a couple years, and I am so glad I finally stumbled across it!

Full disclosure: I have Amazon affiliate links in this post. (...and thank you if you support me through the links!)

Right! Let's jump straight into things then...

Keep your Apple Pencil from rolling away

The Apple Pencil is a wonderful stylus but I got tired of it threatening to roll off every surface. Here's my cheap, low-tech solution. First thing I recommend you do is see if you have an old mechanical pencil hidden in a drawer somewhere. Found one? Great. Remove the pen clip that comes with it and stick it on your Apple Pencil. I also found this handy for clipping my Pencil to the inner pocket of my jacket when I'm out and about.

Keep your Pencil within easy reach

The Muji MoMA pen clip I use to clip my Pencil to my Smart Keyboard

As I pieced my gear together over months, I also found I wanted a way to easily attach my Apple Pencil to my kit when walking around. The Smart Keyboard serves double duty as keyboard and good screen protection. When walking around, I would slip my hand into the loop of the SpinPadGrip so my grip on my Jumbo is secure. I began testing ways for my Apple Pencil to fit my kit. One day, I saw a sketcher using a pen clip to attach brushes to her sketchbook cover, and that inspired me to look for something similar.

If you know the clean lines of the Muji brand, you'll know that they also have very practical, non-branded stationery items. I got 2 pen clips from the store and tested both to see which would work better. The Muji MoMA pen clip, with a faux-leather strap, is the one that has endured, primarily because it's kinder to my keyboard and iPad. (The other clip I found was all-metal)

The MoMA clip slips onto a section of my Smart Keyboard, where the metal bit will not scratch my screen. The clip is nestled conveniently in the folds of the keyboard during transportation. The bonus is that this solution makes a perfect Pencil rest for when I'm typing, making it a cinch to use my Pencil or stick it back in its holder when not needed. I'm sure you can easily find something similar in a stationery store near you.

In case you're wondering, yes, I was also curious about magnetic solutions that snap Pencil to iPad Pro like those offered by Moxiware. Someone actually gave me a Moxiware sleeve, but after testing it, I found that I did not like the bulge of the magnet. More importantly, I found that the Pencil would only stick to certain parts of the iPad Pro/keyboard cover, occasionally sliding off if you got placement wrong. Too much hassle and risk.

Apple Pencil Cap protection

The other issue is the cap at the end of the Apple Pencil. When you charge the Pencil, the cap has to be detached, and the chance of loss can be pretty high if you're clumsy like I am. I've dropped my Pencil a few times and seen the cap fly under cabinets, bouncing and rolling off into all kinds of yucky dark corners. (Fortunately, I've been able to retrieve the cap each time, and my Pencil seems absolutely fine.)

During one of my workshops at the Urban Sketchers Symposium, I saw Mike Daikubara with one of these cap holders on his Apple Pencil, and thought, "Ha! What a clever idea!" Cheap, effective and no more flying Pencil caps. You see what I mean in the images below. You can also see how my Muji clip fits on the Smart keyboard.

Secure your Glasses...or Apple Pencil!

I need reading glasses. In fact, I'm one of those guys who'd constantly buy cheap drug store pairs because he'd misplace/break them all the time. A couple years ago, I discovered the Readerest. (Yes, I'm a Shark Tank fan.) This is a clever magnet device that clips onto any clothing, and you hang your glasses on them when not in use. The design is so clever that even when you bend over, the glasses stay in place! I've had many questions about them and can highly recommend these. Much better than coping with glasses flying out of pockets at inopportune moments. Just remember to take them off before doing the laundry!

An accidental happy discovery is that my Readerest is also a convenient temporary parking spot for my Pencil. When trying to clip my Pencil to my pocket one day, it stuck to my Readerest, and I was actually annoyed by the effort needed to pull it off the magnet when a light suddenly went off in my head. So... as I work now, I often stick the Pencil to the Readerest that's always on my shirt. When commuting, it stays safely in a dedicated slot in my backpack. Although I'm a self-confessed geek, having my Pencil constantly dangling off the front of my shirt as I walk around is a bit much, even for me!

Power for the Pro on the Go

The iPad Pro at full brightness pulls power from the battery really quickly. On my first sketchcrawl with my Jumbo Pro, I went from 100% to 13% in only 5 hours. I was sketching under direct sun, which causes iPads to jack brightness to the max. Pair that with a data-enabled iPad, the Jumbo's size and processing power, and you have a recipe for battery drain.

There 2 main ways to conserve battery power:

Work in airplane mode. When I know I'll be out all day, that's my default and makes a big difference in battery life. (That same 5-hour span would still leave me with between 50-75% battery life, depending on location and complexity of work.)

Turn off unnecessary notifications. Even if you're on occasional data or wifi, the iPad talking to all kinds of services on the internet still draws power.

Once I realized this, I began looking for a power bank that would be powerful enough to charge my Pro quickly. My criteria for purchase: the iPad Pro's battery level had to goup even during use, which didn't seem much to ask. Hunting high and low, I saw eager confidence die in many a salesman's eye. No luck anywhere. A year later, I now know that even the iPad Pro's bundled 12W charger can't charge my Jumbo up while in use, let alone power banks (even those I tested ones in the 20,000+ mAh range).

Enter Apple's 29W USB-C charger(and the separately sold USB-C to lightning cable). It was made for charging the latest MacBooks, and released March 2016. This is now essential equipment for me and takes my iPad Pro battery from 0-50% in a little under an hour, which means that I can take a break for a bite while juicing my Pro up enough for many more hours of sketching. Bonus: the adapter + cable are a lighter than a brick of a power bank!

I'll admit though - it's not cheap to add these to your gear, as both adapter and cable are sold separately. BUT if you already have an iPad Pro, use it primarily and are often on the move, I'd say it's an essential investment. And you might as well shell out the extra for the 2m cable - it's much handier.

Styli for older iPads

If you're serious about trying digital sketching, I highly recommend testing your iPad with Procreate and a pressure-sensitive stylus. If you don't, you won't get what the fuss is about. Yes, there are iPad artists who are perfectly happy using their fingers. Whatever Steve Jobs said, I hated that experience. Don't know about you, but my hand blocks the screen when I try, and it's tiring to hover over any screen for hours.

Click the chart to enlarge and zoom in

One of the wonders of using a pressure-sensitive stylus is the joy of playing with lines of varying width. I never get enough of being able to start with really fine lines, then transitioning to bold juicy ones by applying just a touch more pressure. Working this way also requires a lot less effort than the traditional media equivalent, which means ergonomic advantages that I can certainly attest to. (And I never have to buy ink nor clean a pen ever again!)

Do note however, that to enjoy pressure sensitivity, your iPad has to be 3rd generation and newer, or released from 2012. You might be squinting or frowning right now trying to remember when you got that iPad that has been lying around. The chart on the left might help. Turn your iPad over and check its model number (those tiny numbers below the word 'iPad') against the chart to see which iPad model you own. If you see a tick, you're in!

BUT...you should also be aware that while your iPad can talk to newer pressure-sensitive styli, it might not run the latest apps very well. The difference in power and performance between the first iPad and the latest is HUGH; day and night difference, really. As developers take advantage of all the power available to them, older iPads may stutter and faint from the effort of trying to keep up. I'll venture to say your digital sketching experience could be frustrating on anything older than the first iPad Air.

I can't talk about styli for older iPads without a quick mention of the one I used, loved and took everywhere for 3 years; my (modified) 1st gen Wacom Intuos Creative Styluswhich I used with an iPad Air. I've written extensively here about the hows and whys of adding a teflon tip to the rubber end, but cannot recommend this solution any longer as those teflon tips are no longer being sold. And no matter how cheap, do not buy the Wacom ICS2. It's a real lemon. (Impossible to draw decent diagonal lines or circles slowly.)

Adonit's pressure-sensitive styli and their USB charging dongles. The latest Pixel Pressure Sensitive (top) and older Jot Touch with Pixelpoint (below). Be sure to take the charging dongle with you so you're not stuck with a dead stylus!

With that out of the way, if you have want a pressure-sensitive stylus for that older iPad, these are what I now recommend:

I bought the Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint when it was released but found it just okay... the tip was very hard and didn't feel good against the screen. A couple months ago, I picked up the latest iteration from Adonit, the Adonit Pixel Pressure Sensitive, which is quite an improvement over its predecessor.

Adonit obviously put a fair bit of thought into the Pixel Pressure Sensitive. It's longer, slimmer, a little lighter, and feels better balanced to me. Most significantly, the tip is finer, has a little give, and feels much more natural gliding across the screen. They've also added a touch of resistance which almost makes it feel like you're drawing on paper (unlike the unyielding weirdness with their earlier iteration).

Some things to keep in mind about both Adonit's pressure-sensitive styli:

Adonit pressure-sensitive styli only work with certain apps. You'll have to refer to Adonit's site for which ones, so please check before you buy. [Note: This is not Adonit's fault. Apple provided a way for third-party styli manufacturers to work with iPads, but it's a software solution, not hardware like Pencil to Pro. Styli manufacturers provide SDK (software development kits) which allow their styli to be integrated into apps. App developers then have to make the effort of adding the SDK, testing styli, killing bugs etc. Good developers and their apps support the most popular styli, which is my first litmus test when buying creative apps.]

Getting the stylus to work requires Bluetooth pairing with individual apps, one by one, usually in the app's preference settings. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on!

The USB stick for iPads and iPhones

A couple of weeks ago, I had a graphic recording commission (aka sketchnoting/making visual notes). I was to sketch on my iPad Pro and hand off animations and images quickly to the waiting video team, who would then project my work on the livestream or on displays around the conference area. Before the event, we went over many options to do this efficiently. I first thought "Airdrop!", but the tech team said they find it occasionally unreliable. I then said, "How about using cloud services? Google Drive? Dropbox?" Email? The videos were all under 10MB anyway. But tech said they weren't sure of wifi speed and wanted a fail-proof solution. I thought I'd have to bring my Macbook Pro just in case I needed to transfer and copy files.

"Can your iPad just copy files to a USB stick?" I was asked, leaving me somewhat flustered for a bit, because as fas as I knew, the answer was "No". Or not reliably, in my experience, as I've seen and tested so-called USB sticks for iPhones and iPads and have been so appalled at results I never looked again. Or had to. Until now.

A quick Google search brought up a brand I recognized and trusted: Sandisk! And they've been making a great solution for the past 2-3 years! I admit - I felt embarrassed at being ignorant about such a crucial answer to 2 problems every iPhone and iPad user must have come across at some point or other: offline, untethered file transfer and emergency shortage of space.

So dear readers, if you haven't already heard of it, I am so pleased to be able to introduce you to the Sandisk iXpand. Forget the wonky- name knock offs online. I tried them and they were cheaper, yes, but total duds and a waste of time and money. If getting data off your iPhone / iPad without wifi or a data connection is important to you, so is a reliable, dependable way to do this, and after pushing the iXpand hard over the last few weeks, I give it a huge thumbs-up. It now travels in my mobile kit everywhere because you just never know.

The dark curved part ends in a lightning plug that plugs right into you iPad. When the correct app is installed, it will recognize your iXpand drive and ask fro permission to access it. Follow the prompts from there to view files on you drive or copy files from iPad to iXpand. I thought the design a little odd until I plugged the iXpand in. The curve hugs your iPad with the USB end curling around the back of your device. This also means you don't have a fragile bit sticking out of your lightning port (yes, I'm looking at you, Apple Pencil). Clever!

Between meetings one day, I was able to easily back up all my original Procreate files and clear 10GB off my iPad Pro hard disk; no more wondering what to delete in a pinch! If you get the larger capacity iXpand drive, it might also be a handy back-up on vacations when your iPhone fills with photos and videos. I got the 128GB version so I can back up files from both iPhone and iPad Pro if needed.

Do note: theiXpand I recommend is the latest version, which uses USB 3 transfer speeds for supported iPads (at this point, Pros only). There is an older iXpand, which uses USB 2 speeds. the image below shows the different versions.

You need to download the free Sandisk iXpand app for iOS for file transfer. Be careful - Sandisk makes a few apps for various USB stick models. The old and new iXpand drives use different apps. Make sure you download the right one and test it before you need to rely on it for an important event!

Originally made to only copy and back-up photos and videos from your device's Camera Roll, recent iOS updates now allow you to enable the iXpand app extension, allowing you to copy and back up files from any app (all apps I tested anyway, including original Procreate file formats, PDFs, 4K video files from the Documents app).

You can even rename files once they've been copied to the iXpand. Seems trivial, but I have hunted a long time for the ability to change image names from my Camera Roll before handing them off to a client.

It's small, light, and a little weird-looking. Some people complain that there's no cap for the ends, but I haven't yet found that to be a problem.

Should I Upgrade My iPad?

Finally, we come to the question I am often asked : do I upgrade or not?

I talked about this at length with participants from various workshops I've run, and will state this again here for those who are toying with the idea. This may come as a surprise, but I do not simply urge "Upgrade!" for everyone with an older iPad. Needs vary, and forking out for an iPad Pro is a major investment for many, requiring thought and planning before arriving at a decision.

I've made a list of considerations which may help you decide.

You probably don't need to upgrade your iPad if

You're not sure if you want to sketch digitally, but are a little curious.

I then suggest playing around with what you've got to see if digital sketching works for you before plunking money down for the latest and greatest. Maybe invest or borrow a compatible pressure-sensitive stylus, dabble with Procreate and see how the whole experience feels for you.

Consider upgrading your iPad if

Your iPad is 2nd generation and older (released 2011 or earlier) or lately, e..v..e..r..y..t..h..i..n..g... feels painfully slow with apps crashing a lot. (As hardware becomes more powerful, app developers make great stuff that take advantage of all the horsepower. Consequently, older iPad models struggle and apps quit unexpectedly every now and then from the workload.)

You've tried it and are now serious about diving in digital sketching.

You're a heavy iPad user and feel like your current model is getting really slow, so Santa should probably bring a new one anyway.

You use an iPad a lot for work and want more processing power.

Money is no object and you really want a Pro!

BUT....unless you're in a super hurry, maybe hang onto your wallet a little longer until the announcement of new models in Q1 2017! Rumor mills tout the release of 3 sizes, with a 10.5" version in the mix. (I don't know about you, but I hate spending a good chunk of money on something precious, only to find it's the latest and greatest for a few months. But that's just me.)

Whatever your case may be, at least borrow a more recent model for testing if you can. If possible, get your hands on an iPad Air (1 or 2) for a whirl. Those are still pretty good models and I still have mine. If you're considering an iPad Pro, please... pop into an Apple Store if you can to spend some time testing along with the Apple Pencil. If you do, expect to be very tempted to hand your wallet over, but seasonal sales might net you a deal that's worth the purchase!

Ok - that's my list! If there's something handy you use that I didn't talk about, I'd love to hear about it!

Demo Time during the Urban Sketcher Symposium 2016 in Manchester over the summer!

Over the summer, I had a fantastic time in the UK, the main focus being the delivery of my workshop, Sketching on iPads with Procreate at the Urban Sketcher Symposium in Manchester. In particular, I wanted to list the equipment I use, discuss and recommend all the time.

After having used the iPad Pro (12.9") and Apple Pencil from Day One of their release (about a year now!), I can say first, that I absolutely love both, and second, certain accessories make the total experience so much better, especially when urban sketching. Illustrators who use iPads and iPad artists who want to be mobile might also find my list useful.

Apart from the stylus that makes every iPad Pro magical, there is another must-have accessory that has drawn a lot of curiosity whenever it's been spotted with me. Everywhere I go, people want to know about the 'handle' I use with my iPad Pro. Ever since I got what I occasionally (affectionately) call my Jumbo Pro, I've been on the hunt for the perfect case/holder/support. If you've read my previous posts, you'll know I loved my Twist360 with my iPad Air, (and I still highly recommend it for anyone using 9.7" iPads, be they Pro or not).

As soon as I got my iPad Pro, I emailed Bracketron, the company that makes the Twist360, to see if they planned on making a bigger Twist360 for larger tablets, and was most disappointed when they said they had no such plans. With a grimace, off I went to look for something that could take its place.

How many ways can you hold / place your iPad? With the SpinPadGrip- plenty!

After extensive google searches and several iPad Pro case/holder/support tests later, I finally found my current favorite solution, and here it is...the SpinPadGrip! It's originally made by a French company and now sold under various names, depending where you look. The logo on the back of mine says PowerSpin, which explains why I couldn't find it again for a while. Finally tracked down the original manufacturer!

Now, I have to say that I'm not a big fan of the name. 'SpinPadGrip' doesn't quite roll off the tongue, does it? Although it says what it does, it's not a name that sticks in my head, and I've had to constantly hunt for the name to repeat it when people ask me where I got it. I’ve also found that it may not always be on Amazon, but seems to be more consistently sold now. I do love the product though, and for those interested, I've linked it for you. (Thanks for your support if you buy through my affiliate link!) Those of you not in the US can also purchase SpinPadGrip from its website.

Technically, the SpinPadGrip is not a case. It's essentially a powerful suction cup with a rotating handle attached to it. This can be used on any smooth-backed tablet, which makes it generation-proof! I'm always a fan of not having to change case/handle options with every upgrade -especially when I love the current solution and manufacturers haven't updated it for the latest hardware!

Most importantly, I love that the SpinPadGrip has the same functionality I loved in my old Twist360.

Likes:

the ability to stand your iPad up at almost any angle

a handle for carrying, and most importantly, sketching on the go

allows you to hang your iPad onto a hook to watch from or refer to

tilt the screen at any angle for easy presenting

reading comfort, especially in bed

no need for a front cover / screen protector (I’ll elaborate on that later)

Dislikes:

I'm reluctant to disengage suction to reposition the handle when I've got it right. It's not hard to do, but I don't want to risk it.

Can't use any kind of back cover with it (but it looks like I don't need one).

For sketching comfort on the Jumbo Pro, I've placed the handle off-center… but that means it's lopsided when hung on a hook.

It's not possible to stand the iPad Pro completely vertically. The power button gets depressed, turning my Jumbo off. The solution for vertical viewing is to turn the iPad 180° so no buttons are in the way, with the SpinPadGrip positioned to provide lower viewing angles. Still, this is not a big deal. When I have to show something completely vertically, I just hold the iPad Pro up by the handy handle!

The handle of the SpinPadGrip at the back lets me easily pick my kit up, and my Pencil is always within easy reach, resting in the pen holder clip attached to my Apple keyboard-cover.

Photos will best describe how I use my gear, so here are some. This is my standard configuration. My Apple Keyboard for iPad Pro snaps onto the front to protect my Jumbo's screen. The SpinPadGrip is always attached, and I've found no need for either a back cover/case nor a screen protector, as my iPad Pro travels in a nice padded compartment of my backpack when I'm out and about.

I sense raised eyebrows among you, and saw many more when showing my kit… and I'll tell you, I admit - I was very concerned and skeptical when first testing the SpinPadGrip. We've all had hairy experiences with stuff attached to bathroom walls on suction cups falling unexpectedly, and the idea of a pricey device crashing to the floor is a heart attack no one wants to contemplate.

When I first tried the SpinPadGrip, I held my iPad about a foot over the sofa and felt my heart lurch as the suction lost its grip a few times. I should add that I initially tried attaching the cup to the basic, smooth case I was then using, but it refused to stick to plastic or silicone. I was about to throw the SpinPadGrip away, then thought I'd try again, this time removing the case and wetting the bare back of my iPad just a little, like you'd do for any suction cup to make it stick better. That, along with following all enclosed instructions to the letter, did the trick. Suctioning the handle directly onto the back of the iPad Pro is really a great solution and now, 9 months later, I can happily declare that the SpinPadGrip has handled every situation I've used it in with aplomb, and most importantly, has not budged at all. That being said, if you get it, please test throughly to ensure that you've attached the SpinPadGrip correctly before using, especially before taking it and your iPad out into the wild. (A note to the adventurous: I do advise against flinging/swinging your iPad freely by the Handle. The suction will probably hold, but that's just unnecessary risk.)

For those who do use 9.7” iPads, the following are your best handle/support options.

An oldie but goodie, my Bracketron Twist 360 is 4 years old, has survived a lot of abuse and is still going strong. Best for 8-10" tablets.

Click image to buy from Amazon.uk

The Bracketron Twist360 was what I used for my iPad Air, and is a great, versatile tablet holder for all generations of 9.7" iPads. Its spring-loaded grip allows it to expand, and Bracketron says it "works with most tablets between 7-10". (Note: Mine was too big for my wife's old iPad Mini, and people with 10.1" Android tablets said it was too small.) Some people find it bulky, and yes, if you look at how sleek an iPad is, this seems bulky by comparison, but I got it for practical reasons, not because it was particularly pretty. For mobile digital artists, hey - you don't have to carry a lot of kit anymore. What's a case that adds a bit of bulk but gives you lots of versatile functionality?

If the silver button on top is accidentally depressed, the Aduro's grip can loosen with heart-stopping effect.

Handle clicks to lock at 45° (but that's not a big deal).

A little bulkier than the Twist360.

Last but not least, it’s not possible to sing the praises of the iPad Pro without mentioning the accessory you MUST absolutely get if you’re forking out for an iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil is the hands-down best stylus for the iPad Pro…and many of you already know that it only works with iPad Pros. With a groan and eye-roll, many generations of iPad users lament that fact. Sorry people - the price of progress. Please don't email me with Apple rants. I don't work for them.

There are a few more accessories that I find super handy and highly recommended. I didn't want this post to be too long, so check back with me next week for the update! Thanks for reading and please share other essential iPad accessories in the comments :)

I will write a full review after more testing, but after about 12 hours with my shiny new piece of gorgeous tech, wanted to make a quick video to share first impressions of the IPad Pro and Apple Pencil. And you know, I have to say that using the combo with Procreate 3 makes all the difference. But more on that later.

The short and skinny right now is it's looking really good. I have a few concerns to check out, but overall, love the combo. There's a lot to love, and that may obvious from a test drive in an Apple Store - the huge screen, how fast it is and how the Pencil is so aptly named! Awesome integration. Well, see for yourself in the video. I'll write and post more after more in-depth testing. Anything you'd like to know while I'm testing? Tell me in the comments! :)

]]>What if the Old General Post Office still stood in Hong Kong today?Hong KongRob SketchermanFri, 02 Oct 2015 10:53:28 +0000http://www.sketcherman.com/blog/2015/9/30/what-if-the-old-general-post-office-still-stood-in-hong-kong-today52c57c56e4b09b80f561f557:52c598dae4b005e409dad3d8:560beb25e4b014538d6d1b21

When discussing Hong Kong’s architectural history, the name of one building pops up again and again; the General Post Office built in 1911 on the corner of Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road Central. When I first saw photos of those soaring porticos topped by proud jutting balconies, I was smitten, and fervently wished I could have seen this beauty before she met the business end of a wrecking ball in 1976.

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by the Hong Kong Economic Times, along with Gary Yeung, founder of Urban Sketchers Hong Kong. In the shadows of the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science, an Edwardian gem tucked on the slopes of Mid-Levels, Hong Kong island, we chatted about the passions of Urban Sketchers and the role the group plays in society.

Declared a Monument in 1990, the Old Pathological Institute was revitalized and repurposed as The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science in 1996.

Among the questions asked of us was our opinion on the way Hong Kong has preserved old buildings. That really got me thinking. I had just returned from the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Singapore, and must say that I was generally impressed by how the city state had managed to strike a balance between retaining some of their beautiful heritage buildings amidst the construction of shiny, futuristic towers of steel and glass.

Ask citizens in any country, and I’m pretty sure some will vociferously declare that precious few old buildings have been saved, while an equally vocal lot will pronounce the opposite. I’m sure it’s impossible to please everyone, and that every country walks the tightrope between conservation and change in the name of progress.

I’m not naive. Both are necessary, and every situation needs careful consideration. I just really wish that more of these truly wonderful, iconic buildings had been preserved here in Hong Kong.

I've always wondered what the Old General Post Office would look like if it still stood today.

Every time I pass the bustling street corner that once boasted the old GPO, I still wonder what it would be like if she was still around. I bet Hong Kong would be so proud of her, which inspired me to create this mashup of urban sketching and fantasy, based on the location today and historic photographs. Hopefully, any old beauties still remaining in the city will meet better fates.

Whenever time allows, I like to get some life drawing in. Nothing like it to hone the study of fascinating human forms. 110 Studio in Sheung Wan Hong Kong is run by a good friend of mine, and this video is a compilation of a few sessions I did there recently.

I haven’t been attending life drawing sessions as much as I’d like of late, but do whenever time allows. In addition to attending 'regular’ life drawing sessions where the model is nude, I also occasionally have fun at themed figure drawing sessions, and a new favorite is at 110 Studio Sheung Wan, run by Pei Sea, a very good friend of mine. The video above are some of my favorite sketches from a few sessions at her place.

Advantages of using an iPad for Life Drawing

Using an iPad for life drawing is perfect for me as I like to work fast. It's also a huge plus that I don't have to worry about paint drying and where to put yet another dripping sheet of watercolor/smeary charcoal etc. And of course, it’s quite fun to watch the video playback afterwards, thanks to Procreate! I'm a fan of quick poses, and not needing space for lots of different media or dealing with the threat of spilling liquids, allows me the flexibility to change positions rapidly if I feel like it.

In a future post, I'll go into detail about my digital process for life drawing.

Life Drawing in Hong Kong

The life drawing scene in Hong Kong is cosy (spaces are small) and lively (we have some truly amazing models) and there are 3 studios I’ve been to that I can highly recommend for those interested. I’ll add links at the end of this post. Right now, 110 Studio is the only one I know that focuses on a theme at every session.

Both themed and ‘regular’ life drawing present different challenges. I really love the human form sans attire so I can draw torsos in glorious twists, but also delight in studying light on fabric drawn tight or loosely draped. A theme also gives the model expressions to draw from, adding an additional layer of life to poses. And if the model is good, WOW!

If you’re a newbie, themed figure/life drawing is when the model takes inspiration from a very specific topic. He or she is usually clothed, at least to some degree, depending on the purpose of the session. I’ve attended some where the model is nude but holds poses so animators can study the human form, inspiring characters in film. Often, it’s just for practice, but every bit helps, and the hours put in can add up to make a huge difference in skill level.

Themed Life Drawing at the Drawing Club, LA

I can’t talk about themed life drawing without mentioning where I first got into it: Bob Kato’s Drawing Club (then in Glendale) which I loved attending when I was living in LA. The man took great pains to set the stage, arranging lighting, props and even a movie and accompanying musical soundtrack! Providing an immersive experience made it so much more inspiring, and looking around, I could see many industry pros who obviously felt the same, returning time and again to Bob's in order to hone their craft.

I had a chance to catch a session in July at the Drawing Club's new location, Gallery Nucleusin Alhambra, where the theme was Sunset Boulevard. As always, the film inspiring the session was being projected onto a screen. Modeling for us that evening was Peggy Moore, who took great pains with her costume. As you can see from a selection of my sketches, she had Norma Desmond down to a 't', and I had a ball, especially with her expressions.

Here in HK, space is more of a challenge, so we make do and stretch our imaginations a little more. But hey, all you need is a great model embodying the feel of a character, a great playlist, and off you go.

Figure Drawing Sessions in Hong Kong

If you’re in Hong Kong and want to give themed life drawing a go, connect with Pei Sea here. If you’re in LA and haven’t yet been to The Drawing Club, you can find more info at http://www.thedrawingclub.com/

For those in HK, here’s a map so you can also find a life drawing spot close to you. (I’m only recommending places I’ve personally been to.)

110 Studio Shueng Wan (Themed Life Drawing)

You’ll need to hit the 5th floor button at the gate downstairs in order to buzzed in. Take the elevator to the 5th floor and the entrance is on your left.

My last piece of the day. Chinese signage and little bits of line work completed at home after I was chased off by stall owners cleaning up for the day. I've decided to leave this in black and white for now.

The last rooftop rendezvous at Shek Kip Mei from my previous post drew a lot interest among Urban Sketcher friends who missed out last time, so we agreed we’d go again. A date was picked, and on Saturday, 21 March, a whole bunch of them trudged up the dark, smelly staircase to sketch the view…only to find that half the rooftop was now gone!

I didn’t go that morning as I had a stack of work to catch up on, but was quite dismayed when I saw the photo the group shared, of the demolition crew crushing the building. That afternoon, we were due to meet at Graham Street, scene of yet another disappearing act of Hong Kong's oldest sectors.

I had just read about the URA's plans to 'renew' the area, but was really saddened to hear that this 170+ year old market, so unique, so Hong Kong, was slated for demolition by the end of the month! The Sketcher Kee group, also up in arms, had arranged to head down to Graham Street and sketch up a storm in order to preserve anything possible through their artwork. Many of us from Urban Sketchers HK also planned to go, and as soon as I was able, I headed down there as well.

There were many heads bowed before sketchbooks and drawing boards by the time I arrived. I walked up from Wellington Street drinking in what I could. The narrow street was pedestrians only, and lined by stalls selling meat, vegetables, fruit and a variety of dry goods for completing a meal; noodles and rice, herbs and seaweed and spices.

I watched the patrons too, and they came from all walks of life. Maids lugged bags of groceries for the evening meal. Tai-tais picked expertly through piles of dried mushrooms for the best morsels. Expat couples living in the area browsed, their shopping bags piled with produce from the various stalls. Locals bought their fruit, regulars traded news with stall owners, and tourists swiveled their heads constantly, eyes glued to viewfinders, or smartphones constantly raised. Click-click for posterity. Good thing too. I was updated by Gui and Alvin after bumping into them later. Apparently, scaffolding would be erected the very next day so demolition works could begin.

To the right, a wall had been erected, blocking off the construction site that marked a block already torn down earlier. The tattoo of jackhammers filled the air. I guess that's part of the rhythm of Hong kong, like it or not. I couldn't help but feel a welling sadness at the loss of this place though. By 2017, Graham Street would be just another typical commercial-hotel spot.

My view for Sketch No.1 (below)

To the right, a wall had been erected, concealing the construction site that marked a block already torn down earlier. The tattoo of jackhammers filled the air. I guess that's part of the rhythm of Hong kong, like it or not. I couldn't help but feel a welling sadness at the loss of this place though.

I'm going to miss this place

Ben's familiar face was up ahead where the pathway opened up because some stalls had long packed up and closed, knowing their days were numbered. Looking up, I fell in love with the higgledy-piggledy facades of the block in front of me. I've been fascinated by the Kowloon Walled City since hearing about it, and looking, up, imagined that it might have looked a little like this. Balconies jutted at different angles, as did the facades. Different widths, different styles, different metalwork, yet all part of the character of the area; an unmistakeable identity that many of you reading this now, will never see in real life if you haven't already.

My Walkstool is better than my Helinox One chair in spots like this. Easy to set up and able to squeeze into tight spaces, I set up in a snap, soaked the view in and put stylus to screen. All the line work for this piece was done on location, and color added later at home.

Wanting to make the most of my time, I packed up as soon as I was done, and headed uphill to where Graham Street intersected with Gage Street, taking several reference shots along the way. Up ahead, more sketchers could be seen at various nooks and corners, heads bowing and raising in that particular bird-like way. I had about an hour of daylight left, and eventually decided to spend what remained of that on the edge of Gage Street, in front of a closed up stall. Taxis sometimes whizzed past, honking and missing my knees by inches.

The market on Gage Street closes at 7pm, and it wasn't long before the stalls around me began to pack up for the day. I was ultimately forced to leave when a hoarse voice behind me declared that I'd be soaked if I didn't move. The fishmonger was in the process of hosing down the sidewalk at closing time. Ah well...by then, I'd gotten most of my line work done anyway.

Just before heading off, I took a final look down Graham St. There are upper sections that are also slated for demolition, but maybe not just yet. I know where I'll be sketching whenever I have some time off in the next few months.

Apliu Steet for instance, has been an irresistible draw for me for years; a Gadget-Geekland that pops to mind whenever I need a tool or little doodad of any kind. It's a rather local spot, devoid of the usual crush of tourists, apart from a few who browse the stalls festooned with LED torches, cheap binoculars, phone or photographic accessories, and other gewgaws of all kinds.

By day, there are huge sections of the area dedicated to the garment trade, and you can find here every kind of fabric, bead and button for whatever you might be trying to make. Amidst the eateries and stores that sell daily necessities, there are also little metalsmiths, hammering and welding away beside dark garages that look like rows of mechanical dentists, filled with open-mouthed vehicles, bended torsos disappearing into their cavernous maws.

Except for the vehicles in the distance, this could be Hong Kong in the 60s

It wasn't surprising then, when a couple of weeks ago, my ears pricked up at word of the Urban Sketchers Hong Kong Sketchcrawl at Sham Sui Po. Some of the buildings in the area are a hundred years old; and that's old for Hong Kong. We were going to check out some vintage signage that almost spanned the entire street that Gui had photographed wonderfully previously. That particular stretch of Tai Nan St at 10:30am is absolutely quiet on a Sunday morning. I liked the scene, but prefer to draw ones with more people, so moved on quickly.

My morning really began with curious crowds milling around a few of us who were perched on stools at a busy intersection. The locals were very encouraging, praising talent and urging on those who made attempts to tame and capture the thousands of details that popped before us. A few of us focused on an older 3-storey building at a corner, and a particularly chirpy resident of these parts volunteered the entire history of the place and the family that still owns it; how many sons, who did what, who treated the father well, the family trade (Chinese medicine), and how it's fared all these years. I only understood one in maybe 40 words, thus capturing only the broadest gist of things. (I should really bone up on Cantonese so I can fully appreciate what the locals have to offer.)

To loosen up, I opted to work fast and really loose. This was done in about 40min

At lunch, we looked to Chloe, who lived nearby, and she led us several blocks over, to a little Daipaidong (street food stall) on a quiet alley in neighboring Shek Kip Mei. This place was famous for its pork chop noodle, and was packed. It took a while to seat about 20 people, and we eventually split into smaller groups, huddled around folding tables. Naturally, most of us got the house special, a reasonable HKD38 set for a tall glass of iced milk tea, and a big bowl of noodles with tasty fried pork chops.

We dispersed after lunch, though I stayed on that street. It was unlike any I'd ever seen in Hong Kong. I felt like I had stepped 20-30years into the past, the illusion only shattering when one realizes that many little old ladies today have smartphones. After craning my neck and picking my scene, I stuffed myself into a little space between the main street and a barricade at a traffic crossing. The row of buildings before me were only 4 storeys high; a rarity in Hong Kong today, where 40 must be the average. Many of the homes here looked in various states of abandonment and disrepair, but they brimmed with wonderful character to me. I sat enthralled and did my first decent sketch of the day.

I love these old curvy buildings! Wanting to make the most of time, I decided to skip coloring, or just save it for later.

A little over an hour later, our Whatsapp chat group alerted me to the fact that some of my Sketcher mates were on a rooftop around the corner. Their directions led me up several flights of dark, narrow stairs, reeking of decay. The lower floors were inhabited, but the upper levels were abandoned. It looked like the residents just chucked stuff they didn't want on the staircase, and I had to tread very carefully around battered furniture, broken toys and close to the top, a karaoke mic and maybe the player that once went with it.

This gives you an idea...it's more fascinating in reality, but I guess that also means I need to take better photos!

Emerging into the sunlight was something else. The rooftop spanned the entire block. Overgrown and strewn with discarded furniture, it felt otherworldly to be up there. Leftover sheds that once housed vegetable patches were now wild; equal parts spreading green and brown shriveled vines. And the flowers! There were copious amounts of a wonderfully spunky, showy red variety that looked like firecrackers ready to be set off. Huge bunches of red bristled everywhere. Look closer, and there were also smaller spangles of pink and yellow, a little shyer in the shade of the wall.

6 of my sketcher buddies were spread out, but many clustered around the parapet to the west. I wandered over to see what seemed to rivet them, and soon discovered why they were excited (in a way only urban sketchers can be).

Broad strokes of pastel and liberal splatter really help to bring out the deliciously grungy feel of the place

A narrow alley separated our rooftop from another block of rundown buildings. The rooftop there was even more overgrown. Several old ficus trees had taken root, spanning at least half the height of the 4-storey block. Green shot up from every crack, and there were many. Someone pointed out a group of lazy cats down below, sprawled and napping on the tin roof. To my surprise, there was food for them in copious amounts! At least 3 open newspaper pages held mounds of dried cat food. I wondered who fed these fat feral cats, but we never found out.

Thinking the entire building was abandoned, I suddenly realized that it was not when flapping laundry caught my eye. Two whole sagging rails of it! It was pretty grungy down below, and I first wondered if the clothing had also been abandoned, but slivers of bright whites and a fresh bit of orange winked from the murk. Right in the middle of the decaying structure, it seemed like people had made themselves at home in at least two flats on the upper floors of the block. The windows were either broken or off their hinges, and the balcony rail looked like it might give way at any point, but home it was to someone. I wondered if the toilet worked.

Whatever its condition as a home, it was an irresistible sight, and I, like the other sketchers busily painting it, set to capture it as best I could.

Every corner of that rooftop holds wonders to draw. We left that evening, vowing to return soon.

]]>The Best iPad Sketching Equipment for Your Mobile Digital Sketching StudioGearUrban SketchingRob SketchermanMon, 02 Mar 2015 11:12:11 +0000http://www.sketcherman.com/blog/2015/3/2/the-best-ipad-sketching-equipment-for-your-mobile-digital-sketching-studio52c57c56e4b09b80f561f557:52c598dae4b005e409dad3d8:54f3dfbae4b0b6eeae9bccf7I've been sketching exclusively with an iPad for the last year and a half. I've also conducted a few workshops on the subject now (just did one for an Apple Store last Friday), and been asked many, many times about the equipment I use. While I have written about some items before, I thought I'd do a post that summarizes my top-recommended gear and accessories for easy reference.

The core of the Ultimate Mobile Digital Sketching Studio: An iPad and the app, Procreate

iPad

I'm still using the original iPad Air and love it. The iPad Air 2 was released in October 2014, and is even lighter, and more powerful. If you're serious about sketching on the iPad, I'd suggest you get the latest model, with the largest capacity you can afford (Tip: don't buy 16GB iPads - you'll be wasting a ton of time trying to manage space). This will future-proof you for at least 2-3 years.

If you have an older iPad and wonder whether you'll still be able to use it, the oldest you can use with a good pressure-sensitive stylus is the 3rd generation iPad, released in 2012. Apple started using Bluetooth 4.0 technology then, and this is the standard for all the best styli on the market now.

Guess what the pros use to create?After testing multiple art/sketching apps, I can confidently say that there's nothing like Procreate. Simple yet highly customizable, it stays out of your way while ensuring that all the tools you need are easily accessible in a clean UI.

Still my favorite stylus! Remember that the nib is modified though.

Stylus

After testing many (detailed reviews coming in the following weeks), my top favorite is still my old Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus. This is the first generation model, released late 2013. I have tested the 2nd generation model, and unfortunately cannot recommend it until Wacom fixes some of its serious bugs. The good news for you guys is that the old model is now considerably cheaper! The not so great news is that for best results, you should modify it with the Jaja nibs by Hex3 that I listed in my previous post. Fortunately, once you have the tips in hand, the modification is quick and very easy. (You could do it in 15 minutes tops.)

I have also tested the latest Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint (what a mouthful!) and that's what I recommend if you'd like to get a good pressure sensitive stylus without needing to modify anything. This is a new release and is pretty good. Full review coming up in the following weeks.

This tablet holder takes sketching on the iPad to a whole new level. Absolute awesomeness!

iPad/Tablet Holder

This one raises eyebrows wherever I go, and after using it every day for hours on end, I can also highly, highly recommend it. The Twist 360 is an extremely versatile universal tablet holder. I love that it can accommodate most larger tablets (sorry, 7" tablets - Kindles, iPad Minis - don't fit, but I'm testing one that does and will post that later). The Twist 360 is a wonder that allows me to hold my iPad in a myriad ways, stand it horizontally or vertically, with any degree of tilt I desire, even hang it. It takes sketching on the iPad to a totally different level and I'm totally dependent on it!

Capacitive Gloves

I have hunted high and low for a pair I like and tested several that I didn't. These gloves from Agloves are awesome. Woven through with conductive silver in bamboo fabric, they're really comfortable and allow me to to use multi-finger gestures on my iPad while serving 2 purposes: keeping my hands warm in cold weather, as well as erasing smudges on the screen! haha! I like that the entire glove is capacitive, not just the tips. These are very light and pretty thin (exactly what I was looking for) and so may not be sufficient for you if your winters are very cold. Agloves has thicker, warmer versions for that.

Great Seating on the Go

I've being doing a lot of urban sketching, and when you're out and about, good, solid, ergonomic seating is paramount. While evaluating my options, I decided that what I purchased had to fulfill 4 important criteria:

my choice had to be as light as possible

had to be really well-made and last me at least 10 years

pack really small

support my lower back!

Here are my favorite options, ticking all the boxes and working better in slightly different situations. The Helinox One Camp Chair was my first purchase. It's really quick and pretty idiot-proof to set up, and packs to about the size of a sneaker. Weighing in at under 1kg and under 2lbs, I can pick it up with my little finger. This beauty is also so comfortable to sit in, and yet is strong enough to take 350lbs! It leans back a bit, and is probably not for those who like to be very upright. (I do find that slipping a jacket behind me is an easy fix for that when i do want to sit up straighter.) Another plus: the curve of the fabric cups my elbow, thus supporting my arm for the hours I spend outdoors sketching. When it's time to kick back, have a drink and swap sketching stories under the trees, wow- this is the absolute best chair to stretch out and relax in!

The Helinox One has a larger footprint and takes about 20-30 seconds to set up however. When I know that I won't have much space (think museum interiors and narrow sidewalks) and want almost instant setup and takedown, my seating of choice is the Walkstool 55 XL. It comes with its own handy mesh bag that you can sling over a shoulder. I really wanted something that would fit into any of my backpacks, however. Telescoped, it's a compact 14" long, and love that this stool can be used at 2 lengths: short and fully extended. There are several sizes, so you can pick one that suits your build. The seat is large and comfy, and I was delighted to find that (in addition to lightning fast setup) I automatically sit up straight when I use it. Slouching takes effort when I'm on it, so my posture instantly improves!

Neither of the 2 seating options is particularly cheap, but pick any up and you'll feel instantly that they're built to last. I've used a lot of bargain basement clunkers that were either bad for the back or heavy as hell. Truly, you get what you pay for, and as sketching outdoors is something I do so much, I realized I should just invest in solid, dependable options. These are light, strong, very durable and ergonomic to boot! I figured if I got 10 years out of them, these would each only cost me about $10 a year. When you look at it like that, they're no brainers, really.

Do you have other equipment to recommend? I'm always on the lookout for gear that improves my on location sketching experience. Please add your suggestions in the comments! :)

This is my favorite sketch to date. I did this earlier this week, and it has received the most number of likes and comments for me on Facebook. It's wonderful to feel the support of my peers in the creative community! Wanderarti.com chose this to be the header image of their article too.

A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by Lizzie, who runs a fascinating site on artists who travel and sketch. I was very touched as she was so friendly and warm. My site is also pretty new, and I was very flattered that she approached me for an interview.

I agreed, of course, and here's the link to my very first interview! Please have a look and let me know what you think in the comments! :)

Rubber nib or see-through tip? I decided to go for an option that saves me nibs and gives me accuracy!

If you read my previous post, reviewing the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus, you'll know that I love it but was unhappy about how the little rubber nibs don't last very long. I had resigned myself to having to buy more every now and then, the way I used to replenish stocks of paper, pens and paint before.

While exploring the Procreate Forum, I found a thread by Germ770 explaining his brilliant idea for a simple modification that makes the Wacom ICS more accurate. (Some users don't like the rubber nib at the end and prefer to see exactly where stylus tip meets screen.)

I couldn't find clear step-by-step pictures of the process anywhere, so after successfully modifying my own stylus, I thought I'd post clear instructions here for the benefit of anyone looking for a similar solution.

It's really quite simple. Hex3 makes a stylus called the Jaja. (I haven't used the Hex3 Jaja so can't say how it works.) Its tips are metal, teflon-coated discs that allow you to see the point at which your stylus touches the screen. If you find it difficult to be accurate with rubber nibs, you'll like this.

The shaft of the Jaja tip goes into that little hole at the tip of the Wacom ICS. The hole is almost a perfect size for the shaft. The images above are only meant to show you where the hole is. The right way to fit everything is illustrated in the images below.

Hex3 has also made it possible for users to buy only those teflon tips for US$14.95 a pair (they ship internationally). These in turn can be inserted into the tip of a 0.7 metal-bodied mechanical pencil, creating an instant stylus. The result doesn't have pressure sensitivity, but the following mod will give you that and accuracy.

On top of that, I've found, like other users of this mod, that I don't need to buy Wacom nibs so often anymore because these teflon disks are really long-lasting! I'll update this post when I finally replace the first disk. (The great thing is, I have a spare because these tips come in pairs!)

Once you've received your Hex3 Jaja Teflon nibs, here's what to do:

1. Cut a Jaja Teflon tip to size to1cm from the top - this length allows it to sit perfectly in your Wacom stylus case when finished. (Updated edit: I now cut my tips to 1cm. Longer than that results in easier breakage. Be careful not to cut off too much, but make sure the metal tip doesn't stick out too much either. The tip should be flush to the rubber nib.)

2. Position the Teflon tip shaft in the center of the Wacom rubber nib and push it through slowly, (you might want to use a torn nib so you don't need to damage a new one) then slide it it carefully into that little hole in the center. The shaft of the Jaja nib sits almost perfectly in the little hole at the tip of the Wacom ICS's metal tip.

That’s it! The rubber nib holds the Teflon tip perfectly in place. Having used this solution for about a month, I have to say I'm really happy with it.

When done correctly, your stylus will fit perfectly in its case, even with your new nib.

How has my Wacom ICS improved?

• I don't wear rubber nibs down anymore (I did buy some spares before getting the Jaja tips).

• Users who've done this hack say they've been happy with this solution for months - nothing is wearing down, and I'll update this post when mine finally need replacement.

• The Teflon metal tips should last for months if not longer, and your initial purchase consists of 2, so you have a spare!

• And no, these tips do not scratch your iPad's screen. (The iPad's screen is made with Gorilla Glass, which is harder than most metals.) In fact, I don't use a screen protector at all. I used to think they were necessary, but read that the iPad Air's screen is extremely strong and scratch resistant. 4 months into ownership of my iPad Air, I can say it's fantastic.

I will say that being careful is always a good thing. You should be aware of the environment in which you're sketching, especially outdoors. Both iPad and stylus are valuable equipment that need to be treated sensibly. Before use, check that nothing is trapped under the Teflon disk. In an environment that may be very dirty and gritty, I suggest being really careful not to get any gritty bits under the disk which might scratch the screen as you slide it across the glass.

Personally, I clean my screen frequently. I often wear a glove, cut of the tips of the thumb, index and middle finger, and this cleans my screen while allowing me to rest my hand now and then. I haven't experienced any problems at all, and I've done plenty of sketching outdoors on windy days.

Hope that helps and please let me know if you've tried this or have questions!

*UPDATE *

I've used the Hex3 tips with my Wacom ICS for about 6 months now, and I thought I'd add an update on how things are going.

1. I've never had any tips wear out on me yet. They all glide smoothly and work great.

2. My biggest issue has been tips breaking, although it's no fault of the tip. The first time, my arm was extended, stylus in hand as I was about to position myself to sketch standing up. A kid ran into me and the impact snapped the head of the tip. I subsequently began carrying spares. (A spot of Blue Tack or similar cradles my spare in my Wacom ICS case)

3. I also had another tip break when I slipped my stylus into the pocket of my cargoes, and forgot it was there. By the time I got home, the tip had also broken off. Now my stylus goes right back into it's case immediately after use, and the case rides safely in my cargoes.

4. I once lost a tip because it fell out and landed in grass. I didn't realize the tip had fallen out, and combing areas of the lawn I'd been on drew a blank. (Surprise, surprise) That issue is now solved by using a teeny bit of blue tack in the inside of the rubber nib as I insert the tip. That little bit of stickiness has prevented the tip from slipping out of place.

I've been using this particular set up for a few months now: iPad Air + Procreate app + Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus. I love it. To me, it feels like technology has finally closed the gap and made sketching digitally on the go, totally seamless.

Procreate's app logo

Please note that when I discuss the Wacom ICS in use, I'm specifically referring to how it works with Procreate. I've tested it with other apps, and it's fine on some, but for true awesomeness, you need to try it with Procreate.

Pressure sensitivity is not built into the iPad, so how well a stylus behaves really depends upon the app you use, and the ability to tweak settings to your liking. Therefore, the developer team behind your app of choice is very important.

The Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus uses Bluetooth 4.0 to talk to the iPad. In other words, it's compatible with all iPads except the iPad 1 and 2.

This is what you get when you order the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus. The sleek, solid case houses the stylus itself, along with 2 extra nibs, slots for extra nibs, as well as a spot for a spare AAAA battery.

First, here's what I love about the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus:

• It looks great! I have the black and blue version. The metal body is slim yet solid, with a matte grippy end. Build quality feels excellent; like something that will last and last for ages.

• It's well balanced and doesn't feel awkward or tiring to use, even after many, many hours a day (I've used it for up to 9 almost non-stop)

• The Wacom ICS comes in a beautiful case which gets my thumbs up. Slim and sleek, it's solid and well-built without being bulky or heavy, and has special slots for storing an extra battery and spare nibs. To protect my stylus and prevent it from accidentally being turned on, I've made it a habit to transport it in its case.

• The Bluetooth 4.0 connection is fast, very lower power and for me so far, absolutely reliable.

• The stylus doesn't use much power and the battery lasts for ages. After heavy usage in the last 4 months, its single AAAA battery is at 55% right now, which means I should get a few more months of use!

• Most importantly, the pressure sensitivity of the Wacom ICS on my iPad Air is amazing! I literally use feather touches sometimes and they register perfectly. The ability to go from hairline to fat, juicy mark in a single stroke is creative heaven!

• The stylus uses a replaceable rubber nib, and comes with 2 spare soft nibs. Your mileage on those will vary greatly, depending on your style of usage and how much pressure you use when drawing. People who hate rubber-nibbled stylii because they feel these aren't sufficiently accurate may shudder at trying the Wacom ICS, but I didn't have a problem with it at all. The rubber nib is also smaller than that of other stylii, and I found a modification tip on the Procreate community forum that solves this issue very satisfactorily. Details in the this post about modifying your Wacom ICS.

• The stylus is made by Wacom, so you can expect great quality and decent customer service when you need it. This may depend on where you reside though. Read on for details of my experience with Wacom customer service in the next section.

• There are 2 buttons on the stylus. Some apps allow you to program them. In Procreate, I've set them to Redo and Undo.

Now let's talk about what I don't like about the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus, along with what I've done to overcome these issues:

• It uses an AAAA sized battery, which can be hard to find in retail stores and even online, in many countries. (I solved the problem by getting a 6-pack on Amazon when I bought my stylus, and carry a spare in its case, just in case.)

• I like to use rechargeable batteries where possible, and there aren't any rechargeable AAAA batteries available...yet. Good thing these last a long time.

• No palm rejection. This is not a deal-breaker for me however, and I've taken to wearing a glove when using my stylus. This cleans my iPad's screen while I work, and let's me rest my hand on the iPad sometimes without any accidental strokes sweeping across my sketch.

After 3 weeks of use, this is what my first nib looked like :(

• My biggest concern has been that the rubber nibs that come with the Wacom a Intuos Creative Stylus tear very easily! The nib that was preinstalled lasted me maybe 3 weeks. The next one developed a tear in about one week! I'm not sure if it's a manufacturing defect or a necessary evil to get the required sensitivity. The stylus is under warranty for a year, but does not include the rubber nibs, which are categorized as 'expendable parts'.

After my initial chagrin, I chalked this up to an expense on expendables; pens run out of ink, pencils get worn down and paint and paper eventually run out too, so fine. I'd need to order more now and then. At only US$4.99 for a 3-pack from the Wacom site, I thought ok, it's reasonable. When I tried to figure out exactly which nib to buy though, I couldn't find official information anywhere, which was pretty shocking! And that leads me to my next issue: customer service out of the US.

• The nib issue had me most concerned as they are not currently available in Hong Kong. Down to my final one, I called Wacom Hong Kong to ask where I could get more. They were very nice, but they couldn't speak decent English, and were not at all knowledgable about the product. I had to ask my other half to speak to them in Cantonese. The ladies at Wacom HK were very apologetic, stating that this product was very new to them. I was then informed that I'd have to wait months for them to receive stock of nibs. When asked about the nib model number, Wacom Hong Kong gave me a model number that turned out to be that of the stylus!

Packaging for the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus replacement nibs. These are for the soft nibs (ACK-20501). The firm nibs are ACK-20601

Tired of the runaround, I called Wacom USA where I was attended to quickly and efficiently. They also offered to send me one replacement nib to my US address. (Well, they said they would, but it never arrived.) The most economical solution for me was ordering via Amazon Prime in the US, getting them shipped to someone, who then sent them to me. This proved a little cheaper than buying direct from Wacom, which charges in increments of US$5 for shipping!

If you've been searching the net for info about spare nibs for the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus too, here it is! For some reason or other, neither Wacom sites nor Amazon listings say that these are the correct nibs for the Wacom Intuos Stylus. I've ordered both and can assure you they're correct however. There are 2 types of nibs: Wacom Soft Nibs (ACK20501), which are the same as the ones that came with the stylus, and Wacom Firm Nibs (ACK20601), which are an additional option.

Wacom USA was sympathetic when I explained that my nibs were wearing down very quickly, then advised me to try the firm option. I ordered a set of both, and after trying soft and hard nibs, can state that I don't like the firm ones. Like many other users, I find I need to press a lot harder for my strokes to register. Maybe they require some tweaking in settings to get them to work well, but I don't want to bother with that. I spent ages getting my brushes in Procreate to work just so, and don't want to tweak any further to accommodate new nibs.

Sketching with the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus

The sketches above give you an idea of what's possible. Tools used: Pencil tool on the left, and Ink Bleed + Water Brush tools on the right. All of them came with Procreate, but I modified the settings to suit my preferences.

So how does the stylus work? Like a dream. After you get used to the feel of rubber on glass, the process is seamless. Smooth and sensitive, I love going from thin to thick lines in one stroke.

Here's a sampling of my favorite brushes in Procreate. See what I mean about thin to thick in 1 stroke?

Now, after all this, you might think, "Oh this is not good! The Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus sounds great and all, but what if I need more nibs? What a hassle! Especially if I don't live in the US?"

Here's the good news: there's a very easy hack to make your nibs last a LOT longer. If you haven't bought your stylus yet, you might want to read my next post before you do.

My ears pricked up at the sound of that. I've had dogs most of my life, and had been telling my other half that I missed playing with pooches and having them around. She was trying to get me to go to a friend's home in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, a little coastal town renowned for its seafood. I didn't know her friend that well and didn't want to impose despite her best efforts to convince me otherwise. But I have to say she got me at '10 cats and 3 dogs'.

That was maybe 3 years ago. Since then, 2 cats and 2 dogs have been added to the mix. Or is it just the 2 Shibas (a Japanese dog breed)? It's hard to keep track after a while.

This time, when we were invited for a cookout by her good friend, I could not say 'no'. In addition to the pets, her friend is an amazing cook, and the thought of lunch, tea and dinner by his hand, made my stomach rumble happily in anticipation.

"But we're going to play mahjong before dinner. You can go sketch in the town if you like."

Not this time, I thought. Why had I never thought of sketching all those cats and dogs before? I did a cat head once maybe, but that was ages ago. I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting things to draw now, and when I was presented with these plans a few days ago, I felt an inner thrill at the chance to sketch something cool!

The MTR and shared taxi ride into Sai Kung was cold, grey and foggy; Hong Kong's spring is setting in cool and wet. I watched the hazy silhouettes of moored boats and yachts in the marina swoosh by, and as we passed the narrow country streets into town, the familiar little cafés and shops filled with water gear told me we were really close. It'll be crazy here in summer with weekend traffic that'll curl your hair, but for now, due to the weather, we swept in unhindered.

Tight schedules don't always allow a game of mahjong, so when opportunity knocks, these friends get together for a fun, noisy afternoon.

A delicious stir-fried udon awaited us for lunch, and we were plied with homemade dumplings for tea. Dinner was a feast of oxtail stew, chicken curry, ribs in a sweet, dark sauce and a vegetarian noodle- tofu-mushroom thingy. Everything was amazingly delicious, and by the end of the day, all guests were rolling out the door! Great company and fantastic food aside though, the other highlight of my day was hanging out with so many four-legged friends.

Due to the cold, all the critters seemed a little sluggish. Can't blame them, I guess. Many humans wouldn't mind napping all day, moving only to feed and roll over for a good scratch. With lunch over, the mahjong game began at one end of the room. I don't play, and on other occasions, would have sat myself down to a few hours of reading after dishing out a fair bit of ear-scratching and belly-rubs. Today, I got to know my subjects a bit better and spent a leisurely while tending to the many noses that poked at me for attention.

This home is about 700 sq feet total, with 3 smallish bedrooms. The poodles sleep with the live-in maid who cares for all the pooches and felines with great love. A good-sized rectangular space houses both living and dining areas, and this is separated by a couch with tattered arms that many of the cats slumber happily on.

I always wondered how 17 animals could live in harmony with the 5 humans who also reside there, but hey, they do. And everyone is loved, fed and cared for. What took me by surprise initially was how clean every single animal was. Also how big the average cat was (larger than the smallest dog!). The largest black cat is so huge, I first thought it was a cushion on top of my armchair during my first visit.

The house has a few flying hairballs in corners, but that is to be expected. The owner of all those pets invested in one of those programmable flying-saucer-like Roomba robot vacuum cleaners, which is deployed every morning at 5a.m. to suck up any fur that's been flying and floating from the day.

I've seen cats lounging on the tops of armchairs and the sofa, on shelves and among the cushions, but have yet to see all 17 pets together in one space. Some are extremely nervous and shy, preferring to hide in some of the bedrooms. Today however, enough were out and about for me to sketch, and sketch I did. Happily, the cold made them cosy up together more than usual, and after the initial excitement they settled down for a snooze so I could begin.

Many hours and 3 drawings later, I can say that great food, great friends (both 2 and 4-legged) and plenty of sketching...now that's truly a great day to be thankful for! :)

The place is famous for its milk tea, chicken pies and pineapple buns (which ironically, contain no pineapple at all). Other pastries tease passers-by through the glass shelves behind the owner manning the cash register, but the pies are the main draw, and it isn't unusual to see two queues in front of the cafe; one for seating and another for takeaway.

My better half and I often cannot resist popping in for a snack when we're in the area. She loves the butter-crusted pies. They're savory and sweet all at once, crumbling and melting in the mouth. Paired with the house specialty, cold milk tea, it's a little piece of heaven!

Milk tea is a Hong Kong cafe must-have, and this place serves arguably the best. The quality is highly consistent and that very dependability brings regulars back again and again. The tea is made, then chilled for hours so that when you order it cold, the waiter takes a little tank of it out of the fridge by the door, and pours it for you without having to dilute the flavor with ice. (If you want it hot, it's whipped up fresh in the kitchen.) On a hot summer's day, it's amazing!

Seating is limited; a mix of 2 and 4-person booths and little round tables. Turnover is usually quick as people often wolf down their orders and head out the door. When it's peak time, sharing tables is a norm, tight though that can be. People are used to it however, and amiably wiggle a few millimeters left or right to make room for a newcomer to the table.

We usually make it a point to bring visiting friends here so they get a taste of old Hong Kong, and many fall for those famous pies too. I did this sketch after meeting a friend who had become a recent pie-convert.

There's more to show and more to sketch though, so I'll visit again another time and maybe fuel my sketches with another pie.

"Should I sketch from here to here, or here to there?" Always a dilemma.

It was drizzling, pretty windy and the mercury dropped like a stone in the afternoon, but we were determined to stick it out, and about 10 of us got together at various overlapping times, at the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre to sketch.

The theatre this year was designed by architect Raymond Fung, and was erected in 3 weeks by craftsmen who built the structure by strapping thousands of bamboo poles together without the use of nails. Most often seen as scaffolding encasing skyscrapers under construction, the use of bamboo is huge in Hong Kong and parts of China, as the material is strong, light and versatile. It helps that it's also fast-growing and thus sustainable!

The 800-seat Theatre this year was built to house performances of Chinese Opera for a month, coinciding with the Chinese New Year celebrations. Now, I have to admit that I've never been a fan of this music. I had seen bits of performances as an ignorant kid, and the fact that only older generations appreciated it, made it instantly repellant to me then. Too many years of clubbing in my youth had also fried some circuitry in my ears, and loud, high notes now result in a horrible ringing that often hurts. (I always have a set of ear plugs in my bag at all times, just in case things get too loud.)

When I heard about the Theatre this year, I thought it might be time to reshape my cultural ignorance of this art form. Images I had seen on the internet looked fascinating, and the trigger was seeing a sketch of Serge Raif Chehab, on the Urban Sketchers Hong Kong Facebook page, who had gone for a performance just the weekend before. Learning that the Theatre would be dismantled after the final performance on the 8-9 February also compelled me to go.

I have a bunch of sketcher friends who are always game to go anywhere and draw, so getting the posse together this time was quick as well. A quick call on social media, virtual hands raising in approval, and we were on. At one time, we must have made a funny sight. There were four of us to begin with, and we huddled under our individual umbrellas, seated on the cold ground or perched on stools we'd brought, all sketching in a row. The security guard of the property frowned at us every now and then, as if she was afraid we would move off the pavement and into the middle of the driveway.

When it began raining, I had to stop using my iPad, so I went analog and pulled out my sketchbook (yes I have those too). My 4-color Muji pen was really handy for rendering the entrance to the Bamboo Theatre compound.

The barricades to the main entrance would only be moved when the Theatre compound opened at 3pm. We shuffled from foot to foot with the small crowd gathered in eager anticipation. Most comprised of the elderly. One particular duo caught my eye and proved irresistible to sketch.

This duo really caught my eye because one looked so glum and the other was bubbling with excitement. I tried to sketch them quickly so they wouldn’t be too self-conscious. The glum lady caught on to me seconds after I began and guided her friend away, so I had to work from memory and glances at details whenever possible.

We sketched in the waning light, sometimes hopping around to loosen cramped muscles, or to simply warm up. Nobody anticipated the cold front moving in so quickly, and bundled up though many of us were, the wind still cut through on occasion. Fortunately, the organizers had a food court on site, providing a constant source of hot meals and drinks.

As light left the sky, winking lights came on on the Bamboo Theatre. The dropping temperature made for cramped fingers, but I managed to sketch this before they went numb.

A few of us had also purchased tickets and stayed to watch the show. We didn't have much light where we were sitting, and in the dark interior, I saw 5 sketchbooks out with heads bowed diligently over them; probably also a vain attempt to see clearly! I had my iPad, and turned it down to its dimmest setting, concentrating on trying to capture the performers instead of the impressive bamboo structure.

The show that night featured rising stars in the Chinese Operatic world, none of whom I knew, nor would I recognize, if I bumped into them on the street. The makeup was pretty heavy. I watched, amused, and yes, entertained. I didn't understand a thing as there were no English subtitles, but emotion is universal and I knew angst and broken hearts when I saw them on stage. (Music has evolved in such varied directions on this gigantic planet! How do people develop their different tastes? What makes one person decide, "…nah, don’t like that. Let’s try it this way,” allowing a whole genre to spring forth?)

I don't think I’ll be buying the CDs, but I had a great time, and as often happens, the remaining sketchers got together after everything was over for a much-needed hot meal and more fascinating chats about sketching, creativity, the secrets of the universe...and of course, what to sketch next!

What app are you using?

I have tried many art apps for the iPad including Sketchbook Pro, Sketch Club, Art Rage, Inspire Pro and Brushes. They all have their pluses and minuses, but Procreate is the only app that, to me at least, makes drawing and sketching natural and efficient.

What are you using to draw with?

I used to use Ten One Design’s Pogo Connect with my iPad 3, but it does not work with the iPad Air due to hardware differences that can’t seem to be fixed. I got the Creative Stylus shortly after I found that the Pogo Connect would only make chicken scratches with my iPad Air. The Creative Stylus is an amazing tool! The only thing I’m not so happy about is that the rubber nibs wear out very quickly. (Are you listening, Wacom?) But pencils need to be sharpened, and pens, paint and paper get used up… I chalk up the occasional purchase of nibs to materials I need to replace every now and then.

The Intuos Creative Stylus comes in a great solid case, complete with space for spare nibs (you get 2 extras with purchase) and a slot for a AAAA spare battery.

Do you use your finger?

I could use my finger, and do in a pinch, but choose not to because it’s harder to see what I’m doing. I’m a huge Apple fan but disagree with Steve Jobs on this point - the iPad does need a stylus; at least for drawing and painting. But that’s just me. I am well aware that there are many iPad-based artists who are happily using their own digits.

Can you draw on paper?

The iPad has been around for about 4 years. I’ve been drawing for a little over 40. I did learn to draw on paper (although my parents might interject that some walls and furniture should be included too).

What made you decide to use an iPad?

I made the switch for several reasons. The short answer is ‘convenience’, but there’s a lot more to it than that.

Perhaps it would help if you understood the challenges I had. (If you’re an artist too, you might empathize):

lots of stuff to store: a large assortment of paper (used and unused) and sketchbooks of all sizes and types, not to mention pens, brushes and related accessories (You should know that the average home in Hong Kong is about 500sq feet)

the need to store and care for original artwork properly

smudging

fading

scanning artwork

lighting and photographing artwork larger than A4 size

retouching scanned artwork (spend a few hours cleaning up pencil artwork, then let’s chat about how fun that is)

correcting color fidelity of artwork in Photoshop

packing gear (I used to regularly carry watercolors, an assortment of sketchbooks, pens, inks, pencils, color pencils and brushes, along with accessories like rags, water containers, palettes etc.)

forgetting gear

cleaning gear

the weight of said gear and associated consequences

the cost of constantly buying more materials all the time

This workflow might help you appreciate how I sketch now:

be inspired by a sight

find a place to sit/lean

whip out iPad and Intuos Creative Stylus (seconds to set up)

turn iPad on and launch Procreate

have fun sketching (a fully-charged iPad battery lasts me about 7-9 hours of sketching, making a full day out very possible)

export hi-resolution jpgs, and or a stroke-by-stoke video in seconds, as soon as I’ve completed a piece

close my iPad, return the stylus to its case and slide everything into my backpack

And at home:

Wirelessly back up original artwork files to Dropbox & Box and hard drives at home. The jpgs I exported are also in iCloud (auto backup), therefore available almost instantly in iPhoto on my Mac

upload artwork to website and social media (and if I had an iPad data plan while sketching, I could have uploaded work immediately)

Other advantages of going digital:

the undo button

painting in layers

an arsenal of media with no extra weight

...not forgetting all the other usual reasons people use an iPad; it's like those magic hats with no bottoms from which I can pull out my library of notes, books and magazines, my music collection etc.

The other fact some people fail to consider is, using an iPad has turned out to be much more environmentally friendly than I first thought. I hardly consume any paper / paint / ink / pens now. Have you ever thought about the resources required to produce all the paint, ink, pens etc? And not much of that is recyclable. And some of it is toxic too (think packaging, paints with heavy metals like cadmiums, and their accompanying fumes).

“But your iPad had to be manufactured too. How long will that last you? What will become of it when you upgrade?”

Good questions. The truth is, I keep all my gadgets and fix them if they don’t work. Or pass on stuff I don’t use. My Mom is using my first iPad. If she didn’t need it, I’d use it in other parts of my home; as a recipe holder in the kitchen, a magazine reader by my bed (ooh - more paper saved!) And in a couple more decades, I thought it would be interesting to create an art installation with all these gadgets that have contributed to my creative output.

Please note that I don’t claim to have all the facts and figures to support my hypothesis that using an iPad could be greener than traditional media. You have to admit that it’s worth contemplating though, and if you know of a reputable study that makes such a comparison, I’d love to hear about it.

Would you go back to using paper?

To that, I’d say, "Never say ‘never’ ". I absolutely love what the iPad + Procreate + Intuos Creative Stylus allow me to do now, but if there’s something I want to do that is not achievable on an iPad, sure. Paper, canvas, board or concrete… bring it on!

What’s that handle-thingy you use on your iPad?

What you see is a device called the Bracketron Twist 360. It's not an iPad case. It's more of a tablet holder that can set your iPad in any orientation you can think of.

I’ve tested many kinds of iPad cases, and whenever I upgrade my device, get a little irritated at the wasted covers and cases I can no longer use because of a few millimeters difference in size. I wanted to find something durable and extremely versatile to use with my current iPad, whether or not it grew or shrank by an inch or so. I also wanted a way to prop my tablet up in any orientation I choose. All this and more I found in the Twist 360.

I hope this has given you some insight! I welcome questions and will add relevant ones and my replies to this list as they come up.

]]>Happy Chinese New YearSketchingUrban SketchingHong KongRob SketchermanFri, 31 Jan 2014 10:16:46 +0000http://www.sketcherman.com/blog/2014/1/31/happy-chinese-new-year52c57c56e4b09b80f561f557:52c598dae4b005e409dad3d8:52eb781fe4b08f94e6d8f845Every year, about a week before the lunar calendar says it's time for Chinese New Year, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, undergoes a transformation. Within a few short days, bamboo frames and flapping tarpaulin walls become a colorful tent city filled with blossoms and fragrance.

Bustling, booming and blooming! The annual Lunar New Year Flower Market is one of the best places to get a feel for Chinese New Year festivities.

On opening day of the Flower Market, the crowd pours in. Jubilant anticipation of festive cheer translates into ringing cash registers as people purchase flowers of all kinds, bearing all manner of auspicious names, to brighten up their homes. Apart from flower vendors bursting with bloom, locals and tourists alike also push past seasoned vendors, as well as young entrepreneurs from schools and colleges, out to make some seasonal income from the happy crowd. Stuffed toys of all kinds and gimmicky gadgets jostle with gaudy golden spinning wheels that promise to turn one's fortune around. Pounding drums, enthusiastic screaming vendors, squealing children and the chatter of thousands of excited voices all contribute to the buzzing atmosphere.

Here's a close-up so you see some of the details more clearly.

With each passing day, the crowd grows in size and volume, reaching fever pitch on the final day, New Year's eve, when happy revellers shuffle along together, ever on the lookout for heavily discounted merchandise. Competing vendors can be heard shouting the latest bargains well into the crack of dawn, when it's time for all to pack up and catch a few hours of sleep before it's time to awake and begin several days of festivities. If you didn't catch it this time, mark your calendar for next year and join the fun!

I've lived in Hong Kong for a little over three years, so I know some areas, but recently fell in with a group of friends who also love exploring all the fascinating nooks and crannies of the city through sketching. We'd just sketched at Tai O, a fishing village on stilts, two weeks before, and after the New Year weekend, began discussing new options. A few of us have an informal agreement that we will sketch outdoors regularly in 2014.

Someone proposed we sketch in the city this time. The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, a 3-storey Edwardian style building in the Mid-Levels was brought up, Google Images were then quickly glanced at, and plans firmed up.

Our meeting spot was the Chinese YMCA, another heritage building a short walk away from the Museum. We were to meet at 9:30am but I was early, so I unfolded my handy little stool, whipped out my iPad and started sketching. Other sketchers began showing up and before long, a little group was huddled in corners over their media, perched on ledges, leaning on bannisters and concentrating on the subject before us.

Once done with the YMCA, I made for the Museum, our primary target for the day, and found it closed. I’d been there before and wasn’t planning to go in anyway, so I found an interesting angle outside and started on Sketch No.2 of the day.

Stomachs rumbling, we ducked into a little local shop for a hasty lunch before exploring Cat Street, known for its antiques. Its formal name is Upper Lascar Road. I’m not sure where the cats came from. With no vehicular access, the narrow lane housed shops and stalls presenting hundreds of little details to peruse.

A trio of Chinese porcelain figures posing regally struck me as a good starting point, so I planted myself comfortably and began. In front of us, a lady running her stall told us off in a most unladylike manner that she did not want either herself or her stall to be immortalized in any drawing. What a missed opportunity, lady! ;-)

Two more sketches and it was time to go. There's a lot more I could do though, and I suspect I will soon be back.